Ecklonia radiata | |
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Barangaroo, Australia | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Clade: | SAR |
Clade: | Stramenopiles |
Phylum: | Gyrista |
Subphylum: | Ochrophytina |
Class: | Phaeophyceae |
Order: | Laminariales |
Family: | Lessoniaceae |
Genus: | Ecklonia |
Species: | E. radiata
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Binomial name | |
Ecklonia radiata | |
Synonyms[2] | |
Ecklonia radiata, commonly known as golden kelp, common kelp, spiny kelp or leather kelp, is a species of kelp found in the Canary Islands, the Cape Verde Islands, Madagascar, Mauritania, Senegal, South Africa, Oman, southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, and New Zealand.[3][4] In Australia, E. radiata forms the backbone of the Great Southern Reef, a system of interconnected kelp reefs that spans the coastline of southern Australia, underpinning biodiverse and productive ecosystems, and supporting valuable ecosystem services.[5]
Ecklonia radiata grows in kelp beds on reefs and where sheltered can form dense 'forests'.[6][4] It can be found in the low intertidal zone to depths of approximately 25 metres (82 ft) and rarely exceeds a body length of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in).[4]