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Home / Browns / Desmarestia |
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Name derivation: |
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Desmarestia: named for A. G. Desmarest, a French naturalist; also the Greek word desme: band, bundle, or handful aculeata: = L. aculeatus: prickly or with spines) viridis= L. viridi: green or greenish Desmarestia aculeata- common name: acid weed Desmarestia viridis- common names: acid weed, sour weed, or stink weed |
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Classification:
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Desmarestia J.V.Lamouroux, 1813: There are 60 species of which 30 have been taxonomically accepted.Order Desmarestiales; Family Desmarestiaceae |
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Morphology: |
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Desmarestia aculeata has a somewhat flattened blade with an inconspicuous midrib. Growth is by trichothallic hairs (i.e. intercalary growth associated with hairs or filaments). It contains malic or sulphuric acid, with acidic pH cell contents. Desmarestia viridis has a more terete morphology (i.e. lemon-shaped in cross section); it is more fleshy and is an annual. Its vertical distribution is analogous to D. aculeata.
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Similar genera: |
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Habitat: |
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Both species are found within low tide pools, the extreme littoral zone, or the subtlittoral zone. Desmarestia aculeata is a perennial taxa that regenerates it hairs in the spring, while Desmarestia viridis is a spring-summer annual. |
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