Tweet this page Like this page Email this page Share this page Home» Resources » Identification » Identification of algae » Freshwater algae » How to identify algae » Identification guide » Colonial » Cell contents (chloroplasts when present) are green or blue-green » Cells contain membrane-bound organelles (chloroplasts, nuclei etc) and cell contents are grass green » Cells connected by branching threads Cells connected by branching threads of jelly or old wall material Cells approx. spherical, in groups of 4-8. Westella-like colonies Cells bean shaped, not embedded in mucilage. Dimorphococcus Cells approx. spherical, in large groups, embedded in mucilage. Dictyosphaerium