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Diagnostic features

Unicellular desmid with long cylindrical cells, with a wavy outline in some species, divided into two semicells. The semicells may have swollen ends at the point they meet, either side of a shallow constriction or isthmus, which may be surrounded by a ring.  One green chloroplast with pyrenoids per semicell.

Typical habitats

Found in wetlands and other acidic waters

Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Charophyta
Class Zygnemophyceae
Order Desmidiales
Family Desmidiaceae
Common name Green algae