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AquaPlantA Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae
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Nitella

Nitella spp.

nitella under water
nitella diagram
harvested nitella

close up nitella on metal
close up nitella being held

What is Nitella (Stoneworts)?

Physical Characteristics

  • Stoneworts are branched multicellular algae that are often confused with submerged flowering plants
  • Stoneworts have no flower
  • Will not extend above the water surface
  • Nitella has no odor and are soft to the touch, unlike Chara
  • Stoneworts are light to dark green in color with forked, bushy branches 1/16 to 1/8 inches in diameter.

Pros and Cons of Nitella

Nitella hasĀ no known direct food value to wildlife. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus” for many aquatic invertebrates.

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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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