Home / Charophyceae / Nitella
				Protoplasmic streaming
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Name derivation:
Classification:
Nitella C.Agardh 1824; 210 of 895 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2013). Order Charales; Family Characeae Synonym in PhycoKey – Nitellopsis Hy 1889, similar vegetatively.
Morphology:
Bright green benthic 'forests' 30-100 cm long (high) with dichotomous branching from a main axis to smaller branchlets. Odorless (contrast Chara with H2S odor).
Similar genera:
Chara has larger axis and branches, has a distinct musky (skunk-like) odor, and prefers more alkaline calcium-rich lakes.
Habitat:
Somewhat acidic lakes with low concentrations of CaCO3, in contrast with Chara that prefers higher pH and alkalinity. In USA Nitella is more abundant in New England, while Chara prospers in the upper midwest such as in the prairie states, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
References:
Agardh, C.A. 1824. Systema Algarum. pp. [i]-xxxvii, [1]-312. Lundae [Lund]: Literis Berlingianis [Berling]. Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 22 May 2013. Hy, F. 1889. Sur les modes de ramification et cortication dans la Famille des Characées. Bulletin de la Société Botanique de France 36: 393-398.