Desmidiales, commonly called the desmids, are an order in the Charophyta, a division of green algae in which the land plants (Embryophyta) emerged. Desmids consist of single-celled microscopic green algae. Because desmids are highly symmetrical, attractive, and come in a diversity of forms, they are popular subjects for microscopists, both amateur and professional.
Ankistrodesmus is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. It is one of the most common types of phytoplankton in freshwater habitats around the world.
Characium is a genus of green algae in the family Characiaceae. It is very commonly found in freshwater habitats, where it is attached to phytoplankton or zooplankton.
Chlainomonas is a genus of algae in the family Chlamydomonadaceae. They are found in freshwater habitats or on snow, where they are one of the main algae responsible for causing watermelon snow.
Golenkinia is a genus of green algae first described in 1894 by Robert Chodat. The genus is named for the Russian phycologist Mikhail Iljitsch Golenkin. Golenkinia species live in fresh water and are found around the world.
Lagerheimia is a genus of green algae in the family Oocystaceae. It is commonly found in freshwater habitats all over the world, although some species are rare and have only been recorded from Europe or the United States.
Polyedriopsis is a genus of green algae in the order Sphaeropleales. As of February 2022, it contained a single species, Polyedriopsis spinulosa. It is found worldwide in freshwater habitats as phytoplankton, but is rare.
Pseudoschroederia is a genus of green algae in the family Characiaceae. It is planktonic in freshwater habitats, and probably has a cosmopolitan distribution. The genus Pseudoschroederia was circumscribed by Eberhard Hegewald and Eberhard Schnepf in 1986. The genus was distinguished from the similar Schroederia by being heteropolar and differing cell structure. However, some authors do not consider the genera to be separate.
Radiofilum is a genus of green algae in the class Chlorophyceae. It is a freshwater genus; they are often found in soft, boggy or acidic waters.
Schizochlamys is a genus of green algae in the family Schizochlamydaceae. It is found in freshwater habitats and is planktonic.
Schroederia is a genus of green algae in the family Schroederiaceae. Schroederiaceae is a monotypic taxon; Schroederia is its only genus.
Sorastrum is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. It is a component of the phytoplankton of freshwater ponds, lakes, and ditches. Sorastrum is common in tropical to temperate regions of the world, but due to its small size it is often overlooked.
Cosmarium is a genus of freshwater organisms belonging to the Charophyta, a division of green algae from which the land plants (Embryophyta) emerged.
Spinoclosterium is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Closteriaceae. It is rare, but widely distributed in freshwater regions throughout the world.
Staurodesmus is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Desmidiaceae.
Triploceras is a genus of desmid in the family Desmidiaceae.
Xanthidium is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Desmidiaceae.
Tetrastrum is a genus of green algae (Chlorophyta). It is a common component of the phytoplankton of freshwater habitats, particularly eutrophic and alkaline waters.
Lanceola is a genus of green algae in the family Characiaceae, containing a single species, Lanceola spatulifera. It is found in freshwater habitats.
Echinosphaeridium is a genus of green algae, in the family Neochloridaceae. It is found in freshwater habitats, but it is very rare. It has only been recorded a few times since its original discovery in Sweden.
