Plants whitish, pinkish or purplish up to 30 cm tall. Composed of calcified segments. Branching is pinnate, dichotomous near base. Lower calcified segments 7 mm long. Upper segments are flattened (2 to 3 mm long, 6 cm wide) with wings angling upward at 45 degrees from main axis.

Frequent, found on rocks, often in high surge areas. Common in kelp beds in Southern California.

Intertidal to high subtidal; Pacific Grove, California, to Isla Cedros, Baja California, Mexico.