Staurastrum
| Staurastrum | |
|---|---|
| Staurastrum paradoxum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Class: | Zygnematophyceae |
| Order: | Desmidiales |
| Family: | Desmidiaceae |
| Genus: | Staurastrum Meyen ex Ralfs |
| Type species | |
| Staurastrum paradoxum Meyen ex Ralfs | |
| Species | |
|
See text. | |
Staurastrum is a large genus of desmids (Desmidiaceae), a group of green algae closely related to the land plants (Embryophyta). Members of this genus are microscopic and found in freshwater habitats around the world.
The name Staurastrum comes from the Greek roots stauron, meaning "cross", and astron, meaning "star".