Chlorella
Chlorella spp. · Phytoplankton
Under the microscope · Photo: ja:User:NEON / CC BY-SA
Also called Small green coccoid
How to identify Chlorella
- Under the microscope: tiny round green cells with no flagella, single or in loose groups
- One cup shaped chloroplast
- Labs often group it with other small green spheres
- In the water: blooms make water an even, bright green with no scum
Similar species
Nannochloris is even smaller; Chlamydomonas swims; Microcystis cells are blue green with gas vesicles and form colonies.
Profile
| Season | Year round, blooms in warm months. |
|---|---|
| Starts | About 50 F and up |
| Light | Full sun |
| Depth | Throughout the water column |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Autospores |
| Habitat | Ponds, lagoons, stock tanks and nutrient rich lakes; very common in wastewater lagoons. |
Why it matters in a lake
A harmless green behind many pea green ponds. Dense blooms cause big daily swings in pH and oxygen.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Common
Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chlorophyta |
| Class | Trebouxiophyceae |
| Order | Chlorellales |
| Family | Chlorellaceae |
| Scientific name | Chlorella spp. |
Chlamydomonas
Scenedesmus
Ankistrodesmus
Oocystis
Pediastrum
Desmodesmus
Monoraphidium
Sphaerocystis
Cosmarium
ClosteriumNeed a hand?
Want to know what is in your water?
Lab counts of the algae in your lake show what is growing, how much and whether a bloom is coming.
Idaho / Wyoming (208) 501-4531Oregon (541) 280-0596