Vaucheria

Vaucheria

Genus of yellow-green algae. It is characterized by oil food reserves and tubular branches that have multiple nuclei and lack cross-walls except in association with reproductive organs or an injury. Vaucheria reproduce both asexually and sexually. The spherical female sex organ and the slender, hook-shaped male sex organ are usually produced on branches close to each other. After fertilization, the zygote may enter a resting phase for several weeks before developing into a new plant. Though most species occur in freshwater or are terrestrial, some are marine and others live in ice.