Pyrophyllon subtumens facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pyrophyllon subtumens
Cross-section of a Durvillaea antarctica frond, showing Pyrophyllon subtumens growing on the outer surface
Scientific classification
Genus:	Pyrophyllon
Species:	subtumens

Pyrophyllon subtumens is a special type of red seaweed. It always grows on a large brown seaweed called Durvillaea, also known as southern bull-kelp. You can only find Pyrophyllon subtumens in New Zealand.

About Pyrophyllon subtumens

Scientists group living things into categories. Pyrophyllon subtumens is the only species in its special group, called a genus. This genus is closely related to another group of seaweeds called Childophyllon. Childophyllon also grows on other seaweeds in New Zealand.

This red seaweed used to have a different name. It was once known as Porphyra subtumens. But scientists studied it more and decided to give it a new name.

Where It Lives

You can find Pyrophyllon subtumens growing on all the different types of Durvillaea bull-kelp found in mainland New Zealand. It attaches itself to the outside of these large seaweeds.