green algae

American  

plural noun

1. any grass-green, chiefly freshwater algae of the phylum Chlorophyta, often growing on wet rocks, damp wood, or on the surface of stagnant water.

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green algae British  

plural noun

1. the algae of the phylum Chlorophyta, which possess the green pigment chlorophyll. The group includes sea lettuce and spirogyra

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Etymology

Origin of green algae

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University and their collaborators discovered that a pigment known as siphonein helps marine green algae continue photosynthesizing efficiently, even under intense light.

From Science Daily

Now, because bright green algae keeps reappearing every year around this time, Toledo must always be prepared for such outbreaks.

From Salon

It could also cause harmful algae to grow out of control, creating wide patches of green algae that can poison other life.

From BBC

There’s a faucet on the eastern end of the campground where water from the creek is piped, but upon my arrival, the trough where the water came out was covered in thick green algae.

From Los Angeles Times

These viruses had specialized in infecting green algae in the sea.

From Science Daily