Corallina officinalis

Corallina officinalis is a calcareous red seaweed which grows in the lower and mid-littoral zones on rocky shores.

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It is primarily found growing around the rims of tide pools, but can be found in shallow crevices anywhere on the rocky shore that are regularly refreshed with sea water. It predominantly grows on the lower shore, especially where fucoid algae is absent, but is also found further up shore on exposed coasts.

It forms calcium carbonate deposits within its cells which serve to strengthen the thallus. These white deposits cause the seaweed to appear pink in colour with white patches where the calcium carbonate is particularly concentrated, such as at the growing tips. The calcium carbonates makes it unpalatable to most rocky shore grazers.

Corallina provides a habitat for many small animals who feed on the microorganisms which dwell in its dense tufts.

Distribution

C. officinalis is found on solid rock on the north Atlantic coast, from northern Norway to Morocco, and intermittently from Greenland to Argentina. Corallina is also found in some parts of Japan, China and Australasia.