spirogyra

[ spahy-ruh-jahy-ruh ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a widely distributed filamentous freshwater green alga of the genus Spirogyra.

spirogyra

/ ˌspaɪrəˈdʒaɪərə /

noun

1. any green freshwater multicellular alga of the genus Spirogyra, consisting of minute filaments containing spirally coiled chloroplasts

spirogyra

/ spī′rə-jī′rə /

1. Any of a genus of filamentous freshwater green algae having cylindrically shaped cells with spiral-shaped bands of chloroplasts. Species of Spirogyra reproduce asexually by cell division and fragmentation and sexually by conjugation. They form green scum on ponds, floated by the oxygen produced by photosynthesis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spirogyra¹

1895–1900; < New Latin, equivalent to spiro- spiro- ² + -gyra, alteration of Greek gŷros circle or gȳrós round

Word History and Origins

Origin of spirogyra¹

C20: from New Latin, from spiro- ² + Greek guros a circle

Example Sentences

Another peril to the lake’s ecosystem is the explosion of algal blooms unnatural to Baikal with thick mats of rotting Spirogyra algae blanketing pristine sandy beaches, which some scientists say indicates that the lake can no longer absorb human pollution without consequence.

From The Guardian

Timoshkin has travelled the length of Baikal testing for Spirogyra prevalence and said that in three critical zones near populated areas “the bottom does not look like Baikal anymore” and algae is pushing out oxygen-loving molluscs and crustaceans.

From The Guardian

Dr. Timoshkin and his colleagues have found that Spirogyra, a type of green algae that had rarely grown in Lake Baikal’s shallow zones, accounts for the outbreaks.

From New York Times

Marina Rikhvanova, an award-winning environmental activist in Irkutsk who helped raise initial awareness about the Spirogyra outbreaks, persuaded a local investor to fund a plan for a prototype sewage treatment plant.

From New York Times

Fishermen complain of Spirogyra tangling in their nets.

From New York Times