Amphiroa foliacea

Thalli articulated, rigid, heavily calcified, decumbent or erect in dense, intricate clumps, 1-3(-6) cm high, grayish, rose-purple or whitish color. Branching di-trichotomously, irregularly dichotomously, frequently with adventitious branches in one plane. Branches composed of segments with tapering whitishrose tips. Segments subcylindrical to flat with a distinct midrib, broadly winged to 2(-3) mm in width. Joints short, flexible, non-calcified. Tetrasporangial conceptacles lateral, scattered over surfaces of segments, 250-300(-450) mm diam., hemispherical, not very prominent. Tetrasporangia zonately divided. Cystocarpic conceptacles 300-350 mkm diam. Growing on rocks, stones, dead coral colonies, intertidal to subtidal in protected to oderate wave exposed sites.

Note: The alga is used in folk medicine.

Worldwide in tropics and subtropics of Indian and Pacific Oceans. Common in Vietnam, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore.