Algal factsheet: Spirulina/Arthrospira (Phormidiaceae)
Diagnostic features
Unbranched blue-green cyanobacterial filaments with a helical twist. Crosswalls between cells are often hard to see. A fine mucilage sheath surrounds the filament, within which the filament may be motile. Heterocytes absent. Organelles absent from the cells, but granules may be common.Typical habitats
Planktonic in ponds, including sewage ponds.Notes
Grown in the biotechnology industry as a food supplement. Do not drink/eat it from the wild.Classification
| Kingdom | Bacteria |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Cyanobacteria |
| Class | Cyanophyceae |
| Order | Oscillatoriales |
| Family | Phormidiaceae |
| Common name | Cyanobacteria |