The ecology and developmental morphology of the male plants of Chondrus crispus Stackhouse from New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces are described. The period of maturation and release of spermatia varies spatially; however, the peak discharge generally occurs over a broad period during the summer or fall. Male plants may exhibit comparable abundances to female plants, particularly during periods of maximum spermatial discharge. At maturity, the spermatangial sorus appears as a pink band on dark red terminal branchlets; following spermatial discharge, the sorus becomes white in color. The developmental morphology of spermatia is described from electron microscopic observations
