User:Odlips6/Costaria costata

Costaria costata is a genus of brown alga in the Class Phaeophyceae to be found in the intertidal zones of North America, Russia and Japan. (Source alga base) Common name: “five ribbed kelp.”

Origin of species name
Adjective (Latin), ribbed, having one or more primary veins or ridges (Stearn 1973). The holdfast that grips rocks or other hard surfaces is the small light brown branching structure at the right hand side of the plant. Connecting it to the blade is the narrow stipe. The blade contains five ribs that run it's entire length. Between each rib is a series of puckers which remain dark brown while the tissue in between turns green as it dies. is a preferred food item of sea urchins.

Description: Thallus of this light to medium brown kelp has a branched holdfast (haptera), a somewhat flattened, finely grooved stipe, and an elliptical blade up to 2 m (6.5 ft) long and 35 cm (14 in) wide with 5 parallel rubs running its length. Three ribs project on one side of th blade and 2 ribs on the other. Between the ribs the blade is profusely wrinkles or puckered.

Habitat This annual kelp is found on rock in the low intertidal to upper subtidal from semi-protected to semi-exposed habitats.