Rhizome 1–2 mm diam. Roots 2 per node, rarely 1. Stem 0.5–1 m long, 1–1.5 mm diam. Leaves in groups of 3–5. Leaf sheath 15–20 mm long; margins overlapping for most of length; ligule and auricles vestigial. Leaf blade 30–110 mm long, 3–8 mm wide, l:w c. 10:15, not twisted or twisted by 45–90º in upper part; apex deeply notched with 2 obtuse marginal teeth; longitudinal veins 11–14. Male flower: pedicel 5–10 mm long; anthers 8–12 mm long, each with 2 or 3 simple or laciniate appendages. Female flower with 1–several filiform bracts 1–2 mm long; style 3–5 mm long; stigmas 10–14 mm long. Pericarp with 2 narrow and 2 broad lobes in 1 whorl. Viviparous seedling with comb of grappling apparatus 5–7 mm long; narrow lobes each with 11–15 bristles; broad lobes each with 18–26 bristles.
Occurs intertidally to 40 m deep, on mud, sand, grit, shelland rock substrate.
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