| Ecklonia radiata | |
|---|---|
| |
| Barangaroo, Australia | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | SAR |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Phylum: | Gyrista |
| Subphylum: | Ochrophytina |
| Class: | Phaeophyceae |
| Order: | Laminariales |
| Family: | Lessoniaceae |
| Genus: | Ecklonia |
| Species: | E. radiata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ecklonia radiata | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Ecklonia radiata, commonly known as golden kelp, common kelp, spiny kelp or leather kelp, is a species of kelp found in the Canary Islands, the Cape Verde Islands, Madagascar, Mauritania, Senegal, South Africa, Oman, southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, and New Zealand.[3][4] In Australia, E. radiata forms the backbone of the Great Southern Reef, a system of interconnected kelp reefs that spans the coastline of southern Australia, underpinning biodiverse and productive ecosystems, and supporting valuable ecosystem services.[5]
Ecklonia radiata grows in kelp beds on reefs and where sheltered can form dense 'forests'.[6][4] It can be found in the low intertidal zone to depths of approximately 25 metres (82 ft) and rarely exceeds a body length of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in).[4]
