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Electronic Flora of South Australia Genus Fact Sheet
Phylum Phaeophyta – Order Fucales – Family Sargassaceae
Taxonomic notes: The essentially tropical subgenus Sargassum is represented by only a few species on southern Australian coasts, though three (S. linearifolium, S. spinuligerum and S. distichum) may be moderately common on the western coasts. The fourth species, S. podocanthum, is doubtfully distinct from S. spinuligerum, and detailed studies of the seasonal and ecological variation of this taxon are needed. A fifth species occurs, from the Isles of St Francis, Aldinga and Port Noarlunga, but has not been found fertile; it is probably a subtropical species but cannot be identified without fertile material. Sterile plants of a further species are known from the Isles of St Francis (ADU, A38033).
Subgenus Sargassum has numerous species on the western and eastern coasts of Australia, and is in need of critical revision.
References: The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia Part II
Publication:
Womersley, H.B.S. (14 December, 1987)
The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia
Part II
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