Groups

Find out about the morphology and habitats of some of the major algae groups.

Blue-green algae (Cyanophyta)

Blue-green algae are prokaryotes more closely related to bacteria than other algae and are often referred to as cyanobacteria.
Brown algae (Phaeophyceae)

Mostly marine-based, brown algae range from unicellular organisms to seaweeds over 50 metres long.
Diatoms

Learn more about these unicellular photosynthetic organisms and their unique silica cell wall.
Golden-brown algae (Chrysophyta)

Accessory pigments give golden-brown algae their characteristic colour.
Euglenoids (Euglenophyta)

Unicellular euglenoids often move with a characteristic squirming motion.
Green algae (Charophyta and Chlorophyta)

Although green algae are mostly aquatic, certain groups grow on soil, trees or rocks.
Red algae (Rhodophyta)

Red algae are an ancient species-rich group of organisms with diverse morphology and anatomy.
Yellow-green algae (Xanthophyta)

These photosynthetic organisms live mostly in freshwater environments.