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Klebsormidium (Klebsormidiaceae)

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Diagnostic features

Unbranched filamentous charophyte with short cells, each containing a single parietal chloroplast that occupies approx. half the cell width. Chloroplasts often appear to alternate from side to side between cells, and contain a large pyrenoid surrounded by obvious starch grains (as in Interfilum, to which it is closely related). The nucleus is often visible in the other half of the cell. Cell width varies greatly between species. Filaments often form "elbows", at which a mucilage pad attaches to a surface (cf. Ulothrix, which lacks this feature).

[Klebsormidium], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua Image
Klebsormidium, X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua
[Klebsormidium], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua Image
Klebsormidium, X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

Our records are from rivers with moderate to good water quality

Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Charophyta
Class Klebsormidiophyceae
Order Klebsormidiales
Family Klebsormidiaceae
Common name Green algae