Macrocystis pyrifera; Giant Kelp

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Macrocystis pyrifera; Giant Kelp

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Macrocystis pyrifera
Giant Kelp

Photographer: Lovell and Libby Langstroth
Organization: California Academy of Sciences
Collection: CalAcademy

ID: 0000 0000 0405 0755 (2005-04-16)

INFORMATION PROVIDED WITH THE PHOTO

date of photo Nov 1983

latitude 36.54630 longitude -121.93121 max error distance 2866 meters View on Google Maps.

horizontal datum World Geodetic System 1984

georeferencing source GeoLocate

location Carmel Bay (Monterey County, California, US)

family Lessoniaceae

order Laminariales

class Phaeophyceae

plant community Subtidal

notes The holdfast anchors giant kelp to the substratum. No, these are not roots but rather haptera--structures that must withstand the drag of ocean surge and the lift of the floats. The alga actually absorbs nutrients through its floating blades. In fact, giant kelp will not grow in quiet water--it requires ocean surge to sweep nutrients across the blades. This cluster of blades enveloping the holdfast constitutes the alga's reproductive structures--they meiotically release millions of spores.

camera Nikon in Oceanic housing

photo category: Plant - algae

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PLANT

common names Giant Kelp (photographer)

Look for Jepson Manual treatments, maps (University & Jepson Herbaria)

View Calflora record for Macrocystis pyrifera

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