Osmundea hybrida is a fairly small marine red alga.
Osmundea hybrida is small branched alga which grows from a holdfast to 15 mm long. The axes show a main axis with branches which may be spiral or irregular. The main axis may be slightly compressed with a medulla of cells surrounded by a cortex deep purplish-brown in colour. A small circular pit occurs at the apex of the branches.[2]
Common but not as common as Osmundea pinnatifida.[3] Epilithic in the littoral on stones, rock and on limpets.[4][2]
Spermatangial receptacles, where the male gametes occur in small cups, are at the end of the side branches. Cystocarps are spherical and sessile and tetraspores are produced in small branchlets.[2]
This alga is to be found all around the British Isles as far north as Shetland.[5] Further south it is recorded to Portugal.[2]
Osmundea hybrida is a fairly small marine red alga.
