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

On the river floated a deserted canoe in which spirogyra had grown.

From Literature