Great Lakes Water Life Photo Gallery
Blue-green Algae
Cyanophyta
Microcystis spp.

Cyanosite - Purdue University

M. aeruginosa (aka M. flos-aquae, M. ichthyoblade, M. novacekii, M. viridis, and M. wesenbergii), M. incerta (aka M. pulverea), M. smithii

Taxonomy and Scientific Profile: Cyanodb

Irregular colonies enclosed in mucilage - M. flos-aquae occurs in globular colonies. Cells may appear black, brown or purple and are very dense. May float and produce surface scums. Some species/strains may produce toxins (microcystins and lipopolysaccharides).

D- Microcystis is a dominant member of the summer phytoplankton assemblage in Lake Erie.

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