Nitellopsis obtusa

Nitellopsis obtusa is a large freshwater alga. It is also known by the common name starry stonewort. This alga grows to a length of over 1.5 m is bright translucent green and has branches growing in whorls from the main axis the plants easily break up. It is easily distinguished from other charophytes by star-shaped bulbils which permit vegetative reproduction. This alga grows in freshwater to a depth of over 4 m. Nitellopsis obtusa is widely dispersed in Europe and Asia, it has invaded the Laurentian Great Lakes.