description Cladophora glomerata Overview
Cladophora glomerata is a filamentous green alga found in freshwater and some brackish habitats across many regions. Its branched filaments can form attached mats or loose floating masses, especially where nutrients and light are abundant. Dense accumulations are associated with eutrophic waters and can affect shorelines, aquatic vegetation, and recreational use.
help Cladophora glomerata FAQ
What is Cladophora glomerata: a plant, moss, or alga?
Cladophora glomerata is a branched, filamentous green alga in the class Chlorophyceae, not a land plant or moss. It grows as thread-like filaments that can form attached mats or loose floating masses.
Where does Cladophora glomerata grow?
It is common in freshwater streams and lake shore zones, including hard underwater surfaces in the Great Lakes. It can also occur in some brackish habitats, where light, nutrients, and a stable surface support attachment.
Why does Cladophora glomerata form nuisance blooms?
High light and excess nitrogen or phosphorus can support thick filamentous mats, especially when flow is low. USGS reports on the White River identified C. glomerata in 2016 and linked nuisance growth to nutrient and physical conditions.
Is Cladophora glomerata harmful to people or waterways?
Large accumulations can wash ashore, smell as they decay, limit recreation, and contribute to dissolved-oxygen swings that affect aquatic life. The main documented concern is ecological nuisance accumulation, not a blanket claim that every Cladophora mat is poisonous.
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