Scytonema spirulinoides N.L.Gardner

  • Authority

    Gardner, Nathaniel L. 1927. New Myxophyceae from Porto Rico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 7: 1-144. pl. 1-23.

  • Family

    Scytonemataceae

  • Scientific Name

    Scytonema spirulinoides N.L.Gardner

  • Description

    Species Description - Filaments 500-800 µ long, 15-20 µ diam., more or less frequently curved and spirally coiled, forming a flocculent stratum; trichomes 10-12 µ diam. at the apices, not constricted, much reduced in diameter in the older parts; cells cylindrical, one-half to one-third as long as the diameter at the apices, quadrate in the older parts, densely and finely granular; cross-walls indistinct; heterocysts of the same shape and size as the cells, very sparse; branching very sparse; sheath thick, homogeneous, dark brown, rough on the margin.

    Distribution and Ecology - Growing on rocks along the road near San Lorenzo, no. 534, type.

  • Discussion

    PLATE 17, FIGURE 37

    This species is to be distinguished from others by the very much distorted character of the filaments. Its nearest relative possibly might be considered to be S. ocellatum.