These small brown plants have a fan shaped blade with a pale margin, which splits into narrow segemnts as they age. The upper surface is hairless, but the lower surface is covered in dense hairs. It is dark to blackish brown in colour and feels firm to the touch.

Found from the low intertidal to sub-tidal, on open coasts, usually on reefs in sand.

As a producer, this photosynthesizes.

Reproduction is via small sopangia (spore sacks) on the underside of the plant.

Photo Credit: Rod Morris. Photos available from www.rodmorris.co.nz
Nelson, W., 2013, New Zealand Seaweeds, an Illustrated Guide.