''Cystophora retroflexa'' is a

brown alga Brown algae (singular: alga), comprising the class (biology), class Phaeophyceae, are a large group of multicellular algae, including many seaweeds located in colder waters within the Northern Hemisphere. Brown algae are the major seaweeds of the ...

species in the genus '' Cystophora.'' It found is found off the coasts of New Zealand and Australia. It is the type species of the genus. Prefers more sheltered environments compared to other ''Cystophora'' species, often found in sheltered reefs from 0 to 12 m in depth.

Description

It is a large, open species with floats longer (4–10 mm) than broad (3–6 mm). The final branches are long (20–60 mm) and thin (1–2 mm). The side branches have smaller branches arising at irregular intervals from all sides, rather than the seaweed having branches in the one plane.

Biochemistry

This species contains phlorotannins of the classes of phlorethols and fucophlorethols (

phloroglucinol Phloroglucinol is an organic compound with the formula C6H3(OH)3. It is a colorless solid. It is used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and explosives. Phloroglucinol is one of three isomeric benzenetriols. The other two isomers are hydroxyqu ...

, difucol, , , , , , , , , , , , , , diphlorethol, , , , , , , , , , , , , and ). There are also halogenated phlorethols and fucophlorethols (chlorinated, brominated and iodinated derivatives).

References

Fucales Species described in 1848 Flora of New Zealand Taxa named by Jacob Georg Agardh {{Phaeophyceae-stub