Vertebrata fruticulosa is a small branched alga growing to 15 cm long.

The erect axes are surrounded by 11 to 12 pericentral cells all of the same length.

Cortication of small cells cover these branches.

Tetraspores are formed near the ends of the branches distorting it into a spiral shape.

[2] In the eastern Atlantic from the Shetland Isles,[1] Britain, Ireland, Morocco and the Mediterranean.