The Rhodophyta (red algal division) occur worldwide, from the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas to the burly beaches of Australia. When spotted by the intertidalist, most just hurl. Others like ourselves gaze in amazement at the myriad of unique forms, sizes, and colors that abound in this beautiful division of algae. In California, the red algae constitute roughly, not smoothly, 70% of the total species. They are commonly attached to rocks, other plants, buried in the sand, buried in ones soup, attached to animals (including small children), and in drift. These puppies are red because they contain a unique light absorbing pigment, called phycoerythrin.

Botryoglossum Botryoglossum ruprechtianum
Callophyllis Callophyllis violacea
Chondracanthus Chondracanthus corymbiferus
Chondracanthus Chondracanthus harveyanus
Delessaria Delessaria decipiens
Erythrophyllum Erythrophyllum delesserioides
Gelidium Gelidium purpurascens
Grateloupia Grateloupia doryphora
Laurencia Laurencia spectabilis
Mazzaella Mazzaella lilacina
Microcladia Microcladia borealis
Microcladia Microcladia coulteri
Odonthalia Odonthalia floccosa
Opuntiella Opuntiella californica
Pikea Pikea robusta
Porphyra Porphyra nereocystis
Prionitis Prionitis lyallii
Ptilota Ptilota filicina
Sarcodiotheca Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii
Schizymenia Schizymenia pacifica
Smithora Smithora naiadium