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Gomphonema (Gomphonemataceae)

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Diagnostic features

Valves identical, each possessing a raphe (genus is biraphid). Smaller than Gomphoneis. Valves asymmetric, with one pointed end and the other end bluntly rounded (club-shaped valve), lobed (violin-shaped valve), or pointed (but still slightly asymmetric; may be subtle).  Wedge-shaped in girdle view. Attached to surfaces (including other algae) by short mucilaginous stalks.

[Gomphonema] attached to [Cladophora], X320. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image
Gomphonema attached to Cladophora, X320. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua
[Gomphonema], Shag River, X1000. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image
Gomphonema, Shag River, X1000. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

All sorts of streams and rivers

Classification

Kingdom Chromista
Phylum Ochrophyta
Class Bacillariophyceae
Order Cymbellales
Family Gomphonemataceae
Common name Diatoms