Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Algal factsheet: Klebsormidium (Klebsormidiaceae)


Diagnostic features

Unbranched filamentous charophyte with short cells, each containing a single parietal chloroplast that occupies approx. half the cell width. Chloroplasts often appear to alternate from side to side between cells, and contain a large pyrenoid surrounded by obvious starch grains (as in Interfilum, to which it is closely related). The nucleus is often visible in the other half of the cell. Cell width varies greatly between species. Filaments often form "elbows", at which a mucilage pad attaches to a surface (cf. Ulothrix, which lacks this feature).

Typical habitats

Our records are from rivers with moderate to good water quality

Notes

Closely related to Interfilum

Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Charophyta
Class Klebsormidiophyceae
Order Klebsormidiales
Family Klebsormidiaceae
Common name Green algae