A Kelp Frond Splits Into Many Fronds

A single kelp frond, as seen at left, splits into many fronds, each with its own air bladder at the base.

Giant kelp (Macrocystis) can grow by splitting the frond at the top of a stalk (a "stipe") into many fronds. Giant kelp use this and other clever strategies to grow rapidly, soak up sunlight, and dominate their ecosystems. They then provide habitat for a multitude of creatures and other kinds of algae. This particular kelp was soaking up sunlight and growing contentedly at Portuguese Rock, a rock that pokes above sea level off the south shore of Anacapa Island, just west of the Pelican Reserve. (No diving permitted during pelican nesting season.) I suspect this rock got its name from its resemblance to the spherical buoys that mariners sometimes use, which are called "Portuguese Floats".