Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Algal factsheet: Hyalotheca (Desmidiaceae)


Diagnostic features

Filamentous desmid with short nearly-cylindrical cells joined end to end (there is a constriction dividing each cell into two semi-cells, but it is slight). Each semi-cell has one axial, radial chloroplast with pyrenoids. The two chloroplasts per cell are separated by a clear area in which the nucleus may be visible. May posses a wide mucilage sheath and fine fibrils extending from the cell walls.

Typical habitats

Found in lakes, wetlands and acidic waters

Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Charophyta
Class Zygnemophyceae
Order Desmidiales
Family Desmidiaceae
Common name Green algae