The flattened blade has a distinct midrib and is readily distinguished from related taxa by the serrated edge of the fronds.

[6] It was introduced to the shores north-east America over 140 years ago, is presence described first at Pictou Harbour in the late 1860s by George Upham Hay and Alexander Howard McKay, it's introduction to Iceland and the Faroe Islands could date back to the Vikings, within the last 1000 years and was first noted in a phycological survey in 1900.

[7][8] Fucus serratus grows very well on slow draining shores where it may occupy up to a third of the area of the entire seashore.

[10] "...the littoral zone is characterised especially by such Phaeophyta (brown algae) as Pelvetia, Ascophyllum, Egregia, Fucus and Laminaria, particularly when the shore is rocky".

[11][12] It is considered an invasive species in the Canadian Maritimes, particularly on Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and the Northern coastline of New Brunswick.