Dictyotaceae is large family of brown algae (class Phaeophyceae). Members of this family generally prefer warmer waters than other brown algae. Lobophora variegata (= ) often presents a beautiful blue iridescence due to microscopic bacteria which live on the surface of the blades. A number of genera are known as forkweed (e.g. Dictyota, , Dilophus, Dictyopteris, and Lobospira.