Funnel weed

Distribution:       

Funnel weed or peacock’s tail is found along the Western Australian coastline, usually in sheltered or semi-exposed locations, in intertidal rock pools and subtidal areas. The fan-shaped fronds create a funnel shape, giving this alga its name. As mature plants, the fronds often divide forming a cluster of branches growing to about 15 cm high. Funnel weed is the only brown alga in Australia that accumulates a thin chalky coating on one surface, known as calcification. This process is more common in green and red algae.