This brown alga is called a sea palm because of its resemblance to a tiny palm tree. It can withstand the constant battering of ocean waves thanks to its incredibly flexible stipe or stalk. Its stipe is long and hollow, allowing the sea palm to bend as it is hit by each powerful wave, absorbing the impact instead of fighting against it. This keeps the alga from being knocked off the rocks. Even this strategy has its limits, however. You can often find sea palms washed up on the beach after a par