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Ulothrix

Like bracelets of brilliant emeralds, the miniature filamentous cellular algal genus Ulothrix glisten under the nourishing sun. Converting carbon dioxide and sunlight into sugars, carbohydrates, stored chemical energy and oxygen is the day job for these freshwater green algae found in clear streams and ponds as well as stagnant pools and watering-troughs.

Bright-green masses of these algae attach to stones in the riffles of flowing streams, where they provide the food as well as housing for many of the denizens of deep. At the base of the food web, Ulothrix not only supports the aquatic ecosystem, but can break it, if contaminated with heavy metals and chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides.

The green filaments that make up the algal masses of Ulothrix are long chains of plant cells with a rounded tip and a holdfast cell at their base. Under a hand-lens or microscope, the green chloroplasts, cell walls and nuclei are visible in their transparent cells.