The life history of Helmithora anomala Vélez & Vega (Nemaliales, Rhodophyta), collected from Puerto Rico was examined in culture. Carpospores from monoecious plants germinated to form freeliving, uniseriate filamentous micro thalli. The micro thalli released monospores continuously that gave rise to identical micro thalli. On one occasion, the micro thalli developed cruciate sporangia. Tetraspores germinated to produce prostrate filaments which later gave rise to an erect thallus with the typical morphology of the gametophyte. Gametophytes never developed carpogonial branches or spermatangia in culture. Nevertheless, this study indicates that Helmithora anomala exhibits a heteromorphic triphasic life history in culture.