Pom-pom weed (Caulacanthus okamurae)

Pom-pom weed is a small red seaweed forming dense springy tangled clumps. Native to Asia it was first recorded in the UK in 2004 on the S coast. It has distinctive short incurved thorn-like forked side branches. It is very common on the mid and low shore in the Tamar Estuaries area. Turf formation can alter habitat displacing macro-invertebrates, such as barnacles.

Environmental risk: MEDIUM

Economic risk: LOW

Image: C. Wood © MBA