Scientific names:  Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, and Microcystis, etc.

 

Physical characteristics

  • can be unicellular, filamentous (thin and stringy or hair-like), or colonial
  • buoyant and will form “scum” layer or floating mats on water surface
  • can cause blue, green, brown, or reddish-purple coloration of water

 

Where does it grow?

Blue-green algae can grow in both marine and freshwater. Most of the harmful algae blooms (HABs) occur in freshwater. Blue-green algae can grow in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and slow-moving streams when environmental conditions are right, such as warm water, abundance of nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen, and plenty of sunlight.

 

Cons of Blue-green algae (there are no Pros)

Blue-green algae produce cyanotoxins as well as taste-and-odor compounds that fowl the water they are found in. The cyanotoxins can pose a serious threat to not only fish but livestock, companion animals, and humans as well.

 

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

 

Information and photos courtesy of AquaPlant A Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae.