Nitella

Scientific name

Nitella C. Agardh

Common names

stonewort, brittlewort

Family

Characeae

Similar genera

Chara

Native distribution

cosmopolitancosmopolitan:
(adj) essentially worldwide in distribution

Species cultivated

Nitella spp.

Adventive distribution

information not available

Weed status

not weedy

Habit

submersed, plant-like, delicate macroalga

Brief description

Filamentous macroalgamacroalga:
(n) (sing. macroalga) large algae; seaweeds
. Elongate, delicate, stem-like branches with whorledwhorled:
(n) bearing whorls; a type of leaf arrangement (phyllotaxis) in which leaves are in whorls
secondary branchlets; branchlets sometimes compoundcompound:
(adj) with two or more like parts, as in a compound leaf; divided into two or more subsidiary parts or orders, as in a compound inflorescence
and bushy; stipulodes absent. OogoniaOogonia:
(n) (pl. oogonia) the female reproductive organ in some algae and fungi, consisting of a large cell that produces female gametes
produced in axils of branchlets.

Natural habitat

freshwater; still and slow-flowing waters that are clear and usually alkaline

Additional comments

Nitella contains 224 currently accepted species. Taxonomy and species identification in the genus is problematic. Nitella and Chara are freshwater, multicellular, branched macroalgaemacroalgae:
(n) (sing. macroalga) large algae; seaweeds
in the order Charales that are commonly confused with flowering aquatic plants. Nitella can be distinguished from Chara because it is odorless and soft to the touch.