View source for Macrocystis integrifolia

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2013}}
{{Taxobox
| image =Bryozoans on Macrocystis01.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = ''Macrocystis integrifolia''
| unranked_regnum = [[SAR supergroup|SAR]]
| superphylum = [[Heterokonta]]
| classis = [[Brown algae|Phaeophyceae]]
| ordo = [[Laminariales]]
| familia = [[Laminariaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Macrocystis]]''
| species = '''''M. pyrifera'''''
| binomial = ''Macrocystis integrifolia''
| binomial_authority = Bory de Saint-Vincent 1826<ref>Bory de Saint-Vincent, J.B.G.M. (1826). Macrocyste. In: Dictionnaire Classique d'Histoire Naturelle. (Audouin, I. et al. Eds) Vol. 10, pp. 8-10. Paris:</ref>
| synonyms = Macrocystis pyrifera (Linnaeus) C. Agardh<ref name = "AlgaeBase">Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M., [[AlgaeBase]]: [http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=4882&sk=0&from=results Species: Macrocystis integrifolia], National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 7 February 2013.</ref>
}}
'''Macrocystis integrifolia''' is one of four species of [[kelp]] (large [[brown algae]]) in the genus ''[[Macrocystis]]'' which grows to about {{convert|6|m|ft}} long.

==Description==
Deep brown color on flattened rhizomes which are profusely dichotomously branched.  Each is attached by branched root-like structures coming out of the sides of the rhizomes. Slender main stipes (about {{convert|1|cm|in}} wide to {{convert|30|m|ft}} long) come from the rhizome which is up to {{convert|0.1|m|in}} at the widest.  Periodically {{convert|5|cm|in}} wide and {{convert|35|cm|in}} long flattened leaf-like branches derive from the stipe. They have furrowed surfaces and taper gradually, but then have an oval or rounded float where attached to the stipe. The blade-like branches have notched denticulate edges leading to the terminal blade at the tip of the stipe, which is separated by several smaller branches.<ref name="RaceRocksA">[http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/algae/ryanmurphy/macrocystis.htm  Phylum: Phaeophyta, Class: Phaeophyceae, Order: Laminariales, Family: Lessoniaceae, Macrocystis integrifolia (Bory)],  Pearson College UWC. Retrieved 6 February 2013</ref>

==Life history==
It is found on intertidal rocks or shallow subtidal rocks along the [[Pacific]] coast of [[North America]] from ([[British Columbia]] to [[California]]).<ref name = "AlgaeBase" /><ref name="Abbott76">Abbott, I. A. & G. J. Hollenberg. (1976)  ''Marine Algae of California.'' California: Stanford University Press. {{ISBN|0-8047-0867-3}}</ref><ref name="DeCew">[http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/guide/brown61.html Macrocystis integrifolia Bory], DeCew's Guide to the Seaweeds of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Northern California,  Center for Phycological Documentation, University Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley,  2002.  13 July 2007</ref>  It prefers water about {{convert|7|m|ft}} to {{convert|10|m|ft}} deep and exposed to the open sea and normal salinities, yet sheltered from full wave action.<ref name = "RaceRocksB">[http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/eco/taxalab/bio2002/macrocystisi.htm The Race Rocks Taxonomy, Macrocystis integrifolia],  Pearson College UWC. Retrieved 6 February 2013</ref>

''Macrocystis integrifolia'' alternates heteromorphic phases from a macroscopic sporophyte to dioecious microscopic gametophytes.<ref name="DeCew" /> It has been studied as a plant fertilizer, increasing bean yields up to 24% and chemical studies indicate presence of phytohormone-like substances.<ref name = "Temple">Temple,  W. D., A. A. Bomke, [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02206260?LI=true Effects of kelp (Macrocystis integrifolia and Ecklonia maxima) foliar applications on bean crop growth], Plant and Soil, June 1989, Volume 117, Issue 1, pp. 85-92 (paywall)</ref>

In 2009, a study determined that this and ''[[Macrocystis pyrifera]]'' may be the same species.<ref name = "Demes">
Demes, K.W, Graham, M.H. & Suskiewicz, T.S. (2009). Phenotypic plasticity reconciles incongruous molecular and morphological taxonomies: the giant kelp, ''Macrocystis'' (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae), is a monospecific genus (note). Journal of Phycology 45(6): 1266-1269.</ref>

==External links==
* [http://www.solpugid.com/cabiota/macrocystis_integrifolia.htm  Macrocystis integrifolia Bory] California Biota Home Page... Protoctista... Phaeophyta

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons category|Macrocystis integrifolia}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q6725248}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Macrocystis Pyrifera}}
[[Category:Laminariaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of the Pacific]]
[[Category:Marine biota of North America]]
[[Category:Flora of California]]
[[Category:Flora of the West Coast of the United States]]
[[Category:Species described in 1826]]