Rhipocephalus phoenix - Pinecone Stem Plant The uncommon pinecone of the reef. Why It Is Algaesome A true collector’s macro: the rarest of the stem plants we offer. Pinecone meets reef flat: naturally found on sandy bottoms and seagrass beds throughout the Caribbean. Built to stand out: forms a tapered, pinecone-like structure from tightly arranged, calcified fronds. Deep sand specialist: anchors via a bulb and fine rhizoids, thriving in sand beds of 3 inches or more. Reef friendly structure: calcareous growth benefits from stable, slightly elevated calcium and alkalinity. Generally unpalatable: often ignored by herbivores once established. Sizing & Availability Each Pinecone Stem Plant is shipped as a single rooted individual with its natural bulb and, when possible, rhizoids with attached substrate. Most specimens are 2 to 4 inches tall at the time of shipment and can reach up to approximately 6 inches in height under the right conditions. Shape and fullness vary naturally. Some appear tightly conical, while others take on a more open, tree-like form. Pinecone Stem Plants may be available all year, but they are rarely encountered. Traits ColorLight to medium green EaseModerate ClassificationGreen Macroalgae / Stem Plant Nutrient UptakePoor to Fair AvailabilityOccasional UseDisplay LightingModerate to high FlowModerate A Note from the Collectors: Every macroalga we offer is hand collected, acclimated, and observed by our team before shipping. While we carefully try to remove other algae, sponges, and tiny hitchhikers, it is possible that a few goodies from the reef may tag along. It is a natural part of receiving genuine wild collected specimens. Many species may arrive paler or whitish in color. This is completely normal. Macroalgae shift their pigments inward during transport to protect from light and stress; color returns within a few days under good aquarium lighting and flow. We ship via 2 Day service on Mondays and Tuesdays only to ensure specimens arrive healthy. You will receive a notification with tracking information as soon as your order ships