''Codium cranwelliae'' is a subtidal seaweed in the family

Codiaceae Codiaceae is a family (biology), family of green algae in the order Bryopsidales. Genera * † ''Abacella'' Maslov * † ''Appeninocodium'' O.Dragastan * † ''Arabicodium'' G.F.Elliott * ''Bevocastria'' E.J.Garwood * ''Botryella'' V.P.Shu ...

. The green algae is endemic to New Zealand, primary found on the northeastern coast of the

North Island The North Island ( , 'the fish of Māui', historically New Ulster) is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, islands of New Zealand, separated from the larger but less populous South Island by Cook Strait. With an area of , it is the List ...

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described in 1940 by

William Albert Setchell William Albert Setchell (April 15, 1864 – April 5, 1943) was an American botanist and marine phycologist who taught at the University of California, Berkeley, where he headed the Botany Department. Among his publications are the ''Phycotheca ...

, based on specimens collected by botanist

Lucy Cranwell Lucy May Cranwell (7 August 1907 – 8 June 2000) was a New Zealand botanist responsible for groundbreaking work in palynology. Cranwell was appointed curator of botany at Auckland Museum in 1929, when she was 21 years old. As well as her work ...

from the

Poor Knights Islands The Poor Knights Islands (Māori: ''Tawhiti Rahi)'' are a group of islands off the east coast of the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. They lie to the northeast of Whangārei, and offshore halfway between Bream Head ...

in February 1937. Setchell named the species after Cranwell.

Description

''C. cranwelliae'' has a light green colour, and distinctive oval branching utricles attached to a narrow base. These utricles can be up to long.

Habitat and range

The species is endemic to New Zealand, found in subtidal coastal areas. It has been found as far south at the Mahia Peninsula.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q49618441 cranwelliae Endemic flora of New Zealand Taxa described in 1940 Marine biota of Oceania