Algae and cyanobacteria
Still green colonies
Pediastrum, Scenedesmus and other colonial green algae
Green algae that live as fixed, regular colonies and do not swim: flat stars, plates and short rows of cells.
What to look for
- Pediastrum: a flat, round plate of cells, often with two horns on each outer cell, like a star or a cogwheel.
- Scenedesmus: rows of 2, 4 or 8 cells side by side, the outer ones often with spines.
- No flagella, no movement other than drifting.
Size in the field
Small to medium: Pediastrum is easy at 100×, Scenedesmus needs 400×.
Where to find it
Plankton of ponds and lakes, especially nutrient-rich ones.
Clips 0
No clip of this group is on the site yet. The description above is enough to check your own observation.