Description: This blade-like plant is yellowish brown, with a linear undivided blade up to 4 m. long and 18 cm. wide; the blade is thick and rigid below, thinner above; three to five prominent longitudinal folds run the full length of the blade. The base of the blade tapers (or is broadly rounded) to a stipe that is up to 25 cm. long, flattened above and cylindrical below, where it terminates in a prominent discoid holdfast.

: Low tide at Race Rocks showing numerous C. triplicata individuals

: C. triplicata (middle) showing 3 prominent longitudinal folds

Habitat: On rocks in the upper subtidal zones.
Pacific Coast Distribution: Bering Sea to Washington.
Robert Scagel, 1972

Classification:

Eukarya
Phylum: Phaeophyta
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Laminariales
Family: Laminariaceae
Cymathere triplicata (Postels and Ruprecht) J. Agardh
Common name -three-ribbed kelp

There is a publication called “Seaweed-assisted, benthic gravel transport by tidal currents” which has shown the role of Phaeophytes like this in depositing rocks and gravels on beaches. An example of this can be seen in this posts on the MetchosinCoastal website. ( To be added)

See all Phaeophytes in the Race Rocks Taxonomy

Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File

The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. Ryan Murphy PC yr 26

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve-

marine ecology educational resource, remote-control webcams,elephant seal colony,Sea lion haulout,sustainable energy, solar energy

Cymathere triplicata: The Race Rocks Taxonomy

There is a publication called “Seaweed-assisted, benthic gravel transport by tidal currents” which has shown the role of Phaeophytes like this in depositing rocks and gravels on beaches. An example of this can be seen in this posts on the MetchosinCoastal website. ( To be added)