The species name baccata means "berry-like" and refers to the small air bladders.

[2] This species was known as Cystoseira fibrosa until 1950, when P.C.Silva pointed out that it had first been described in 1768 by S.G.Gmelin, who had found the lectotype in the Netherlands and called it Fucus baccatus.

It is a perennial, each year growing new branches up to 50 cm long from a dark brown, cone-shaped base.

The receptacles are terminal, up to 5 cm long, cylindrical with knot-like swellings and covered with tiny threads.

[2][6] The conceptacles of G. baccata are specialised reproductive cavities and form in the receptacles which are fertile from June until the autumn.