Under field conditions in the northeastern Pacific, the red alga Rhodophysema elegans (P.L. et H.M. Crouan ex J. Ag.) Dixon (Cryptonemiales, Peysonneliaceae) is known to produce only tetraspores. The life history of this species was studied under controlled laboratory conditions. Tetraspores developed into two growth forms: unattached spheres and attached discs, both of which again produced only tetrasporangia. No morphological evidence was obtained for sexual reproduction.