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 » Colony is a tight mass of cells with long spines radiating outward Colony is a tight mass of cells with long spines radiating outward Large colonies of tightly packed cells. Micractinium / Errerella Cells usually single, but may be found in loose aggregates of a few cells. Golenkinia