Macrocystis pyrifera

Common Name:

Giant Kelp

Family:

Lessoniaceae

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

From Margaret Brock reef (SA) to Walkerville (Vic) with drift plants as far north as Bondi (NSW), north and north-west coasts of Tasmania
Map - Australasian Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Shallow to deep water, to 22 m depth

Flower Description:

N/A

Habit:

Brown algae with dark brown thallus to 10 m, bearing many fronds with broad blades ¹

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):

Images:

Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia MELU

Links to description of this species:

AlgaeBase

Conservation status:

N/A

References:

¹ Womersley, H. B. S. (1987). “The marine benthic flora of Southern Australia. Rhodophyta. Part II”. ABRS, Canberra.