Cladophora rupestris is a densely tufted plant, that grows up to 20 cm in height, with dark green or bluish coloured dull fronds. Typical specimens branch profusely upwards from the base, in an irregular, whorled or opposite pattern. The stoutness, density and arrangement of branches gives the seaweed a coarse feel.The morphology of the species is fairly constant over a wide range of habitat conditions and over a wide geographical area. Its morphology is affected by physical damage due to grazing by animals and loss of the apical region on reproduction, both instances are followed by regeneration and proliferation of branches. Cladophora rupestris sometimes forms an almost complete cover of stunted growth at high tide level and occasionally in the splash zone where pools are brackish. Filaments are short and branching dense in the most wave exposed locations (Burrows, 1991).

Long Island Sound to Strait of Belle Isle

Atlantic, Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone, Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone, European waters (ERMS scope), Irish Exclusive economic Zone, Mediterranean Sea, North West Atlantic, Oostduinkerke, Polish Exclusive Economic Zone, United Kingdom, United Kingdom Exclusive Economic Zone, Wadden Sea, Wimereux, Zeeland

Green colour from Chlorophyll a and b.

Syntype for Cladophora rupestris f. submarina Foslie in Wittr. & Nordst.
Catalog Number: US 150757
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: Alleged type specimen status verified from secondary sources
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): M. Foslie
Year Collected: 1882
Locality: Pasvig., Finnmark County, Norway, Europe

Syntype for Cladophora rupestris f. submarina Foslie in Wittr. & Nordst.
Catalog Number: US 150755
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: Alleged type specimen status verified from secondary sources
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): M. Foslie
Year Collected: 1882
Locality: Skardsvag (Skarsvaag), near North Cape (Nordkap)., Finnmark County, Norway, Europe

Isotype for Aegagropila biformis Wittr. in Wittr. & Nordst.
Catalog Number: US 56242
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: Original publication and alleged type specimen examined
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): T. Krok
Year Collected: 1868
Locality: Svartholm, near Naske, Gulf of Bothnia (Mari Bottnico). Angermanland, Vasternorrland County, Sweden, Europe

Isotype for Aegagropila biformis Wittr. in Wittr. & Nordst.
Catalog Number: US 150758
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: Original publication and alleged type specimen examined
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): T. Krok
Year Collected: 1868
Locality: Svartholm, near Naske, Gulf of Bothnia (Mari Bottnico). Angermanland, Vasternorrland County, Sweden, Europe

Isotype for Conferva glauca Roth
Catalog Number: US 150756
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: Unknown verification or is "ined."
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): F. Mertens
Year Collected: 1795
Locality: Near Den Helder., North Holland Province, Netherlands, Europe

Known from rocky shores.

Depth range based on 28 specimens in 2 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 6 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0 - 3.5
  Temperature range (°C): 11.471 - 12.348
  Nitrate (umol/L): 4.729 - 7.121
  Salinity (PPS): 35.184 - 35.363
  Oxygen (ml/l): 6.069 - 6.200
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.351 - 0.439
  Silicate (umol/l): 2.315 - 3.285

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0 - 3.5

Temperature range (°C): 11.471 - 12.348

Nitrate (umol/L): 4.729 - 7.121

Salinity (PPS): 35.184 - 35.363

Oxygen (ml/l): 6.069 - 6.200

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.351 - 0.439

Silicate (umol/l): 2.315 - 3.285
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

 Cladophora rupestris grows in rock pools, on the surface of rocks, hanging in 'ropes' in crevices or forming undergrowth to macroalgae at all levels on the shore.