Draparnaldia

Draparnaldia is a genus of freshwater green algae in the family Chaetophoraceae. It forms branched chains of cells, termed filaments, surrounded by mucilage. It is a cosmopolitan genus with wide distribution and it is usually found in cold aerated waters. They are either attached to sand or grow epiphytically on other aquatic plants. Draparnaldia can be seen growing in clear streams trailing on stones and boulders. Herman S. Forest of The Southern Appalachian Botanical Club has stated that while not common, it is present frequently enough to be recorded in almost all local flora lists of green algae that have been compiled. A multitude of species are present in Lake Baikal, Siberia and have been described by Meyer and Jasnitzky.

==Morphology== Draparnaldia consists of uniseriate filaments (chains of cells arranged in one row), which are attached to a substrate with rhizoids; the plant is surrounded by soft mucilage. The length of the main axis cells are generally equal, with some cells having side branches. Branches are borne in alternating, opposite, or whorls of tufts from the main axis. Tips of branches usually bear long, tapering hairs. Chloroplasts appear as a band within the center of each cell, and may have a smooth or reticulate margin; they have several pyrenoids.