Skip to content

Cymbella (Cymbellaceae)

Back a level
In this section

Diagnostic features

Shaped like orange segments in valve view. The raphe is curved from the central area to the poles approximately in parallel with the long edge of the valve, but deflects towards the long edge at the cell poles (unlike in Encyonema, where it deflects the other way). Sometimes attached to surfaces with gelatinous stalks. Chloroplasts are golden-brown.

[Cymbella], X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua Image
Cymbella, X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua
[Cymbella aspera], X400. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua Image
Cymbella aspera, X400. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

Stony streams and rivers everywhere

Classification

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