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Soil algae
Nostoc spp.
27.2225, -80.3834
Field Notes
Description:
A cyanobacteria, not really a true algae. It looks like dark green Gelatinous mass when wet and dries to a crusty greenish-black on soil surface.
Habitat:
This specimen is growing in the shade of live oak trees that are on the top of a berm beside a drainage ditch. The soil is mostly bare with a few thin patches of grass and weeds. Interestingly, most of the plants are clustered around the Nostoc.
Notes:
Nostoc can fix atmospheric nitrogen which is maybe why clusters of plants growing around and through it. It is also edible.
Reference Links:
Nostoc
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedDecember 7, 2012
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