Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Algal factsheet: Chlorella - like unicells (Chlorellaceae)


Diagnostic features

"Small non-motile green balls" with cup-shaped chloroplasts - difficult to identify to species without access to specialist tools.  These have often been grouped under the genus Chlorella, but in reality they may belong to different genera, family, class or even division!  Because they occupy similar niches, it may still be of value to record these taxa.

Typical habitats

Found in the plankton of nutrient-rich lakes and ponds. Often abundant in sewage ponds, particularly during spring and summer.

Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Chlorophyta
Class Trebouxiophyceae
Order Chlorellales
Family Chlorellaceae
Common name Green algae