Macrocystis integrifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Macrocystis integrifolia |
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| Macrocystis integrifolia | |
| Scientific classification | |
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SAR
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| Superphylum: | |
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| Family: |
Laminariaceae
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| Genus: | |
| Species: |
M. pyrifera
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| Binomial name | |
| Macrocystis integrifolia Bory de Saint-Vincent 1826
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| Synonyms | |
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Macrocystis pyrifera (Linnaeus) C. Agardh |
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Macrocystis integrifolia is a type of large kelp. It is a kind of brown algae and belongs to the Macrocystis group. This amazing kelp can grow to be about 6 meters (20 feet) long! It's an important part of ocean ecosystems.
Contents
What Does Macrocystis integrifolia Look Like?
This kelp has a deep brown color. It grows from flattened, root-like parts called rhizomes. These rhizomes branch out a lot and have smaller root-like structures that help the kelp attach to rocks.
Long, slender stems, called stipes, grow from the rhizome. These stipes can be about 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) wide and up to 30 meters (98 feet) long! Along the stipe, there are flattened, leaf-like branches. These branches are about 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide and 35 centimeters (14 inches) long.
The surface of these branches is furrowed, meaning it has grooves. They get narrower towards the end. Each branch has an oval or rounded float where it connects to the stipe. These floats are filled with gas, which helps the kelp blades float towards the surface of the water to get sunlight. The edges of the blade-like branches have small notches. At the very tip of the stipe, there is a main blade, with several smaller branches below it.
Where Does Macrocystis integrifolia Live?
You can find Macrocystis integrifolia along the Pacific coast of North America. It grows from British Columbia in Canada all the way down to California in the United States.
This kelp likes to live on rocks that are uncovered at low tide (called intertidal rocks) or just below the surface in shallow water (called subtidal rocks). It prefers water that is about 7 to 10 meters (23 to 33 feet) deep. It also likes places that are open to the sea and have normal salt levels, but are still somewhat protected from very strong waves.
Life Cycle and Reproduction of Macrocystis integrifolia
Macrocystis integrifolia has an interesting way of reproducing. It switches between two different forms: a large, visible plant (called a sporophyte) and tiny, microscopic plants (called gametophytes). The sporophyte is the kelp you see, and it produces spores. These spores grow into the tiny gametophytes, which then produce new sporophytes.
Scientists have studied this kelp for many uses. For example, it has been used as a plant fertilizer. Studies showed it could increase bean harvests by up to 24%! This is because it contains substances that act like plant hormones, which help plants grow.
In 2009, a study suggested that Macrocystis integrifolia and another type of kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, might actually be the same species. Scientists are still learning more about these fascinating ocean plants!
See also
In Spanish: Macrocystis para niños
