Diagnostic features
Unicellular desmid with two flattened semicells separated by a deep constriction/isthmus, and then further divided by several deep incisions; where the incisions are wide, the cells have radiating arms and superficially resemble other genera (such as Staurastrum). However, the arms of Micrasterias all lie in one plane. Each semicell contains a single green chloroplast.
![[Micrasterias], north Taranaki swamp, X400. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image](/assets/Tools-And-Resources/Identification/freshwater-invertebrates/micrasterias400__ScaleWidthWzEwMjRd.jpg)
![[Micrasterias], Lake Rotoiti, X320. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image](/assets/Tools-And-Resources/Identification/algae/micrasterias320__ScaleWidthWzEwMjRd.jpg)