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Cladophora
Sign in to savethumb|Cladophora is a genus of branching filamentous green algae in the class Ulvophyceae. They may be referred to as reticulated algae, branching algae, or blanket weed. The genus has a worldwide distribution, mainly found in marine or brackish waters; a few species are found in freshwater. It is harvested for use as a food and medicine.
Article
16 sectionsContents
- Description and appearance
- Life cycle
- Asexual reproduction
- Sexual reproduction
- Habitat and distribution
- Ecological impact
- Phytoremediation and bioindication
- Uses
- Food
- Biofuel
- Pharmacology
- Other uses
- Taxonomy and selected species
- References
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|Cladophora is a genus of branching filamentous green algae in the class Ulvophyceae. They may be referred to as reticulated algae, branching algae, or blanket weed. The genus has a worldwide distribution, mainly found in marine or brackish waters; a few species are found in freshwater. It is harvested for use as a food and medicine.
==Description and appearance== Cladophora forms thalli consisting of branched, uniseriate (one cell thick) filaments which are usually sparsely to profusely branched (rarely without any branching). The thallus may be attached to a substrate via rhizoid cells produced by the basal cell, or by a simple disc-like holdfast; alternatively it may be unattached. Filaments are wider at the base and narrower near the tips. Cells produce a branch directly below the cross-wall, or may be pseudo-dichotomously branched. Cells are cylindrical, barrel-shaped or club-shaped.