Gracilaria edulis

Thallus stiff, caespitose, cartilaginous, flexuosus, to 27 cm high, is forming loose tufts, greenish-brown, brownish-red. Main axes cylindrical (1.0-1.5(-2.0) mm in diam.). Branching abundant, basically irregular, sometimes nearly dichotomous or trichotomous, five to seven orders. Branches and branchlets cylindrical, very slightly constricted basally, tapering gradually to acute tips. Branch intervals gradually becoming shorter to bi- or trifurcate apices. Terasporangia oblong, embedded in the cortex, cruciately divided, 15×8 mm. Cystocarps sphaerical, markedly projecting. Attachment by small disc-like holdfast with prostrate axes and secondary discs on branch apices. Growing on dead corals, stones, shells, in tidepools, intertidal and upper subtidal (exposed during low tide), in areas with moderate wave action. Abundant in polluted waters.

China (Hainan), Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Mianmar, Philipines, Singapore, Pacific Islands