Family Description: Characters are the same as described for the order. The family is distinguished by development of the cystocarp, which is surrounded by distinct filaments called an involucre (formed of sterile branches located below the cystocarp and arching around it) and which releases carpospores through a distinct pore, called an ostiole. Species are erect, usually cylindrical, and often appear dichotomously branched, as is the representative in the local flora described below.
Species description: Red Antlers have an erect, bushy growth form up to 15 cm (6 in) tall attached to small, discoidal holdfast.
These gametophytes are usually dark red, but some can be pinkish red in color, and they are quite gelatinous in texture. The main axis branches dichotomously ten to fifteen times, and the cylindrical branches are up to 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter and do not taper except near the tips.
The carposporophytic phase is deeply embedded within the tissues of the gametophyte, but a narrow opening for each permits spore release.
Red Antlers grow only on rocks, and are never abundant. They are more likely to be encountered in outer coastal waters than inside waters. Perhaps they cannot tolerate the reduced salinity of some inside waters.
