Appearance
''Fucus gardneri'' is olive brown in colour and similar to ''Fucus spiralis''. It grows to 40–50 centimetres long and branches somewhat irregularly dichotomous and is attached, generally to rock, by a discoid holdfast. It has airbubbles at the top.
Habitat
Rockweed can form thick bands in the middle intertidal on rocky substrates. The other common species of ''Fucus'': ''Fucus spiralis'', ''Fucus vesiculosus'' and ''Fucus serratus'' along with ''Ascophyllum nodosum'' form the main and dominant seaweeds on rocky shores. These three species, along with two others ''Pelvetia canaliculata'' and ''Ascophyllum nodosum'' form the zones along the shore.
Evolution
The tips of mature individuals swell up and provide flotation for the plant as well as reproductive chambers for developing sperm and eggs. During low tide, the swollen tips dry up squeezing out sperm and eggs which unite into a zygote during the next flood tide and settle onto a substratum.Native Americans historically harvested the dried swollen tips of ''Fucus gardneri'' – sometimes referred to as "Indian pop corn". When the airbubbles are popped, it secretes a thick lotion, very moisturizing.
Uses
Native Americans historically harvested the dried swollen tips of ''Fucus gardneri'' – sometimes referred to as "Indian pop corn". When the airbubbles are popped, it secretes a thick lotion, very moisturizing.References:
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