Digenea simplex (Wulfen) C. Agardh
Red seabroom
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Family:  Rhodomelaceae ()
Max. size: 
Environment:  sessile; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Ocean.
Diagnosis:  Thalli erect, dull brownish red. Branches densely clothed with hair-like determinate branchlets, especially at the upper half portion of the thallus. Branching of the main axis basically dichotomous but may become irregular due to the production of adventitious laterals. Determinate branchlets uncorticated and consisting of a distinct axial cell surrounded by nine pericentral cells. Thalli up to 9 cm in height (Ref. 80758).
Biology:  Utilized for medicinal purposes: as anthelmintic, vermifuge and laxative; source of agar, kainic and a-allokainic acids, kainic acid is a vermifuge or anthelmintic against the parasitic round worm (Ascaris), the whip worm (Trichuris), and tapeworm (Taenia) (Ref. 80758).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 

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