Caulerpa verticillata is a type of seaweed that belongs to the Caulerpaceae family.
It’s found in the warmer waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, particularly in the Caribbean.
In Western Australia, this seaweed is found along the coast in the Kimberley region, extending south to the Pilbara.
What Does Caulerpa verticillata Look Like?
Caulerpa verticillata has a green thallus, which is a plant-like body that spreads outward to around 3.9 inches (10 centimeters) forming dense, low mats.
Its color can range from light green to dark green. The seaweed is made up of fine, fibrous tufts that stand 0.4 to 1.2 inches (1 to 3 centimeters) high, sometimes reaching up to 3.9 inches (10 centimeters).
What Are the Specific Features of Caulerpa verticillata?
Caulerpa verticillata has structures called stolons, which are slender, creeping, and abundantly branched.
Stolons have a diameter of 300 to 600 micrometers. They bear erect, verticillate branch axes and descend rhizoid-bearing branches.
The erect axes have delicate whorls arranged at regular intervals, composed of repeatedly dichotomous (forked) branchlets that gradually taper toward pointed apices.
The basal segments of the branchlets have a diameter of 100 to 210 micrometers and are 5 to 10 times longer than their diameter.
The apical segments are forked and have a diameter of 30 to 40 micrometers. The branchlets are not constricted at the dichotomies.
Where Is Caulerpa verticillata Found?
Caulerpa verticillata is found in the tropics and subtropics of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
It’s common in countries of the Asia-Pacific region, such as China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand.
This seaweed is also found in the Pacific Islands.
What Kind of Habitat Does Caulerpa verticillata Prefer?
Caulerpa verticillata prefers to grow on hard substrates, like dead coral blocks, in both intertidal and subtidal zones.
It’s found at depths of up to 98.4 feet (30 meters) underwater.
How Does Caulerpa verticillata Looks Like on Shores?
When Caulerpa verticillata is seen on shores, it often appears as small, fluffy seaweed growing on coral rubble.
It forms sparse clumps that cover an area of 3.9 to 7.9 inches (10 to 20 centimeters).
What Are the Distinctive Features of Caulerpa verticillata on Shores?
Caulerpa verticillata has structures that are 0.4 to 0.8 inches (1 to 2 centimeters) long and made up of a stack of 2 to 4 circlets of short filaments.
The color of these structures can range from light green to reddish-green.
Summary of Caulerpa verticillata Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Color | Light green to dark green or reddish-green |
| Thallus | Spreads outward to around 3.9 inches (10 centimeters) forming dense, low mats |
| Tufts | Fine, fibrous, 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 centimeters) high, sometimes up to 3.9 inches (10 centimeters) |
| Stolons | Slender, creeping, and abundantly branched, with a diameter of 300 to 600 micrometers |
| Erect Axes | Delicate whorls arranged at regular intervals, composed of repeatedly dichotomous branchlets |
| Branchlets | Gradually tapering toward pointed apices, not constricted at dichotomies |
| Habitat | Hard substrates, dead coral blocks, intertidal and subtidal zones (up to 30 meters deep) |
| Distribution | Tropics and subtropics of Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans; common in Asia-Pacific countries and Pacific Islands |
You can check out what this plant looks like over here.
Caulerpa verticillata Characteristics
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Growth Rate: | Fast |
| Required Lighting: | Low High |
| Maximum Size: | 5.9 in (15.0 cm) |
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Order: | Bryopsidales |
| Family: | Caulerpaceae |
| Genus: | Caulerpa |
| Scientific Name: | Caulerpa verticillata |
| Also Known As: | Fluffy Green Seaweed |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |