Electronic Flora of South Australia Species Fact Sheet

Myriodesma calophyllum J. Agardh 1894b: 94.

Phylum Phaeophyta – Order Fucales – Family Cystoseiraceae

Selected citations: Nizamuddin & Womersley 1967: 379, pls 72A, 73 fig. 7.

Synonym

M. quercifolium sensu Nizamuddin 1962d: 68–73, figs 3,6, 19–23, 25–36, 39,40, 48–53, 55,56.

Thallus (Fig. 1 54B) medium to dark brown, 20–40 cm long, with few to several complanately branched fronds from the branched stipe. Holdfast discoid-conical, 3–15 mm across; epilithic. Stipe 4–15 cm long, with 2–5 di- or trichotomies at intervals of 1–6 cm, each 1.5–3 mm in diameter. Fronds 20–40 cm long, irregularly alternately pinnate with long laterals 1–4 (–8) cm apart, (0.6–) 1–2 cm broad, entire; midrib conspicuous below, disappearing above. Growth from a three-sided apical cell in an apical depression. Structure of fronds 300–600 µm and 8–12 cells thick, with slight medulla, a cortex of isodiametric cells and an inactive phaeoplastic meristoderm.

Reproduction: Thalli monoecious. Conceptacles (Fig. 156F) densely scattered over the fronds, bisexual, with a broad basal tuft of phaeophycean hairs; oogonia sessile, ovoid, 80–150 µm long and 40–110 µm in diameter; antheridia *sessile or on branched paraphyses, elongate-ovoid, 18–28 µm long and 6–12 µ in diameter.

Type from Port Phillip, Vic. (Wilson, 2.i.1891); in Herb. Agardh, LD, 2417.

Selected specimens: Avoid Bay, Coffin Bay Pen., S. Aust., drift (Womersley, 30.xi.1975; ADU, A46823). Fishery Bay, S.W. of Port Lincoln, S. Aust., drift (Nizamuddin, 21.ii.1959; ADU, A24051). Between Hopkins and Thistle Is, S. Aust., 6–10 m deep (Baldock, 1.i.1964; ADU, A27121). Seal Beach, Kangaroo I., S. Aust., drift ( Womersley, 29.x.1966; ADU, A30971). Port Phillip Heads, Vic. (Wilson, 8.i.1895; MEL, 18849). Fluted Cape, Bruny I., Tas., 16 m deep (Shepherd, 10.ii.1972; ADU, A41480).

Distribution map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of SA

Distribution: From Avoid Bay, S. Aust. to Port Phillip, Vic., and Bruny I., Tas.

Taxonomic notes: M. calophyllum is of eastern distribution and is closely related to the earlier-described western M. quercifolium, differing in its slenderer and entire fronds; this difference may prove to be unsatisfactory on more detailed study of the variation in these species.

References:

AGARDH, J.G. (1894b). Analecta Algologica. Cont. II. Ada Univ. lund. 30, 1–98, Plate 1.

NIZAMUDDIN, M. & WOMERSLEY, H.B.S. (1967) The morphology and taxonomy of Myriodesma (Fucales). Nova Hedwigia 12, 373–383, Plates 69–73.

NIZAMUDDIN, M. (1962d). Structure and development of Myriodesma (Fucales). Bot. Gaz. 124, 68–74.

The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia Part II complete list of references.

Author: H.B.S. Womersley

Publication: Womersley, H.B.S. (14 December, 1987)
The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia
Part II
©Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, Government of South Australia

Illustrations in Womersley Part II, 1997: FIGS 154B, 156F.

Figure 154   enlarge

Fig. 154. A. Myriodesma quercifolium (ADU, A33718). B. Myriodesma calophyllum (ADU, A46823).

Figure 156   enlarge

Fig. 156. A,B. Myriodesma harveyanum (A, ADU, A57375; B, ADU, A3311). A. Upper branches with conceptacles. B. Transverse section of thallus with bisexual conceptacles each with a central columella bearing phaeophycean hairs. C. Myriodesma tuberosum (ADU, A51679). Upper branches with conceptacles. D,E. Myriodesma quercifolium (D, ADU, A33718; E, ADU, A13435). D. Mid and apical parts of a branch. E. Transverse section of thallus with a bisexual conceptacle and central group of phaeophycean hairs. F. Myriodesma calophyllum. Mid and apical parts of a branch with conceptacles.

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