Sea Staghorn (Codium fragile)

Description: Sea staghorn goes by many names including dead man’s fingers, green sea velvet, and felty fingers. These names come from its spongy, branching, finger-like shape. The color ranges from dark green to black and it reaches lengths of up to 40 cm.

Habitat: This seaweed is found in the low intertidal zone to shallow subtidal depths. It ranges from southcentral Alaska to Baja California, Mexico.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Hold your breathe when looking closely at this seaweed, it gives off a pungent odor!

• A similar subspecies is found on the east coast but is considered an invasive species.

References: The New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest by J Duane Sept, Seaweeds of Alaska