Skip to main content
Algal factsheet: Phormidium (Phormidiaceae)
Diagnostic features
Unbranched filaments of short cylindrical cells in a fine sheath. Filament may glide within the sheath. Cells may be at least as long as they are wide (cf. Oscillatoria). End cells often pointed/tapered, with a calyptra (thickened cap) on the terminal cell. Tapering may extend several cells from the end. Heterocytes absent. Organelles absent from the cells, but granules/vesicles common. Forms mats that may be dark brown, green, purple or blue-green.
Typical habitats
Streams and rivers of all sorts of water quality
Notes
Potentially toxic
Classification
| Kingdom |
Bacteria |
| Phylum |
Cyanobacteria |
| Class |
Cyanophyceae |
| Order |
Oscillatoriales |
| Family |
Phormidiaceae |
| Common name |
Cyanobacteria |
