Hydrodendron australis
General description:
Stems to 2 cm long, fascicled, irregularly branched, with 2-3 supplementary tubes extending two thirds the distance up stem.
Hydrophore with a few reduplications.
Nematothecae rare.
Gonothecae are smooth or very slightly annulated, with curved or straight pedicels, and several have a slight constriction just below the truncated distal end.
Colour: light greenish, with black patches scattered throughout hydrocaulus. (Under the microscope these patches are black granules concentrated on the hydranth and in the coenosarc.
Distribution:
Southern Australia (South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia)
Habitat:
Subtidal