About Ulva intestinalis L.
This species, scientifically named Ulva intestinalis L., has branched, fully tubular fronds that expand in width at the mid-thallus. Frond tips are rounded; the alga can reach lengths of 15 cm or more, with a full typical length range of 10 to 30 centimetres (3.9–11.8 in) and width range of 6 to 18 millimetres (0.24–0.71 in). Its cells are arranged irregularly, and the chloroplast is hood-shaped, positioned to one side, and generally contains only one pyrenoid. Ulva intestinalis can be reproductive year-round, and has an alternation of generations life cycle where the gametophyte and sporophyte are isomorphic, meaning they share identical morphology. Some taxonomic references treat this species as two separate subspecies: Ulva intestinalis ssp. intestinalis (L.) Link and Ulva intestinalis ssp. compressa (L.) Link. This alga has a generally worldwide distribution. Specific documented locations include the Bering Sea near Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, Puget Sound, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Israel, Azores, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Poland, the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean shores of New Zealand.
