Pyropia suborbiculata

Thallus membranous, orbicular, 2-3-(6) cm high, to 10 cm broad, sessile, commonly aggregated, often overlapping each other, with smooth or slightly undulate margins, purple-red to dark brownish-red, often with lighter marginal stripe, cordate or sometimes cuneate at base with small discoid attachment, Blade monostromatic, thin, (40)-50-70 μm. Margins inrolled, edges dentate. In transverse section, cells 28-30 μm high and 15-25 μm broad, with single, stellate chloroplast. Monoecious, spermatangial and carposporangial patches develop along margins. Growing during autumn-winter season on the uppermost (splash zone) to middle intertidal rocks, exposed to strong wave action.

Note: The alga is widely used for food by local population.

Worldwide in tropics and subtropics.