E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

Family Description:
Members of this family are small uniaxial forms that occur in the mid to high intertidal zone on our shores.

Species description:
Jelly Moss is related to, and often grows with, Sea Moss. It forms tufts of branches up to 5 cm (2 in) tall at maturity, but is usually only 2 cm (0.4 in) high. These are attached to a reddish, encrusting base. In late April, however, the branches are only about 2 cm (0.75 in) high. They branch dichotomously a few times, and lack the "spines" so characteristic of Sea Moss. Jelly Moss is medium reddish brown, and is noticeably slippery or slimy to the touch. When the tide recedes and Jelly Moss begins to dry out, it first has an almost rubbery consistency, but eventually dries to a brittle hardness and is black. Like other algae that dry this way, it can be severely damaged by the careless feet of the unwary. The upright tufts usually disappear over the summer, leaving behind reddish crusts from which new upright branches emerge the following spring.