The life history of the red alga Rhodophysema elegans (J. Ag.) Dixon (Peyssoneliaceae: Cryptonemiales), which was commonly found at 4 localities on the south coast of England, has been investigated in laboratory culture. Tetraspores (the only reproductive organs observed) which were derived from field material germinated to repeat the parental tetrasporangiate phase. Sexual reproductive organs were not observed. It is suggested that the probable cause of this direct type of life history is the occurrence of apomeiosis in the sporangial primordium.