Description

An easily identifiable species E.intestinalis can grow to lengths of 75cm and as both it’s scientific and common names suggest has an appearance resembling bright green intestines being long and tubular with irregularly spaced constrictions. Used as an indicator of organic pollution in coastal waters this species is quite often found in regions that suffer a lot of arable land run-off that brings with it much of the fertiliser sprayed by local farmers or in areas where there is discharge of effluent from sewage treatment works. E.intestinalis attaches to stones and rocks and can quite frequently be found growing near drainage outlets.

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References:

Collins pocket guide, Seashore of Britain & Europe, Peter Hayward, Tony Nelson-Smith, Chris Shields, 1996.

Budd, G.C. & Pizzola, P., 2007. Ulva intestinalis. Gut weed. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 14/09/2007]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Ulvaintestinalis.htm>