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Algal factsheet: Spirogyra (Zygnemataceae)
Diagnostic features
Unbranched filamentous zygnematalean, having cylindrical cells with one or more green, spiralling, ribbon-like chloroplasts containing pyrenoids. Chloroplast margins in healthy material are undulating, and the nucleus can often be seen in the cell centre, suspended in strands of cytoplasm. A fine mucilage layer coats the filament; consequently, the strands of Spirogyra (and other zygnematalean filaments) feel "soapy" to the touch. Conjugation is ladder-like, in which conjugation tubes form between filaments; these are traversed by the donor gamete to fertilise the receptive gamete (occasionally observed in field material).
Typical habitats
Very common around the margins of ponds, lakes and slow-flowing streams
Notes
Blooms have been the subject of pollution complaints
Classification
| Kingdom |
Plantae |
| Phylum |
Charophyta |
| Class |
Zygnemophyceae |
| Order |
Zygnematales |
| Family |
Zygnemataceae |
| Common name |
Green algae |
