Caulerpa cupressoides

Caulerpa cupressoides, commonly known as cactus tree alga,[1] is a species of seaweed in the Caulerpaceae family.[2]

Cactus tree alga
Scientific classification
Phylum:	Chlorophyta
Class:	Ulvophyceae
Order:	Bryopsidales
Family:	Caulerpaceae
Genus:	Caulerpa
Species:	C. cupressoides
Binomial name
Caulerpa cupressoides (Vahl) C.Agardh

The plant has runners that are overlaid by sand rising up to thick stalks that split into heavy upright branches that are in turn lined with rows of short think branchlets. The length can vary from 2 to 25 centimetres (0.8 to 9.8 in) with a tall slender habit to a short bushy habit. It is a coenocytic species that grows well in shallow protected areas with sandy bottoms.[1]

It is found around much of the world including the Americas between Florida and Brazil including most of the islands of the Caribbean. Both coasts of Africa as far south as South Africa and many of the islands in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Found through much of Asia and in Australia it is found in Queensland[3] and in Western Australia along the coast in a large area extending from around Perth then north through the Mid West and Pilbara coasts and into the Kimberley region.

Several variations of the species exist including:

• Caulerpa cupressoides var. cupressoides
• Caulerpa cupressoides var. elegans
• Caulerpa cupressoides var. lycopodium
• Caulerpa cupressoides var. mamillosa[4]