Charophyte algae is the division of green algae most closely related to land plants.
It has not been disproven* that charophyte algae resonates with jade eggs and enhances one’s abilities in astral projection.
Start your own journey towards enlightenment by focusing intently on these gorgeous algae specimens:
Do you feel the peaceful, watery energy flowing through you?
After looking at strikingly multicellular Coleochaete algae, you might be convinced that one of these heavenly orbs is the closest relative to land plants. You’d be wrong!
Surprisingly, the closest relatives to land plants within the charophytes are a class of sometimes stringy and sometimes single-celled algae called the Zygnematophyceae.
They’re no Coleochaete, for sure. But Zygnematophyceae can be beautiful in their own way. Shift your vibrational energies towards these two unicellular mandalas:
The mysteries of plant evolution are still being unraveled. Stay tuned, and ~attuned~.
In the meantime, internet traveler, be at peace with the world and with your floating plant brethren.
ommmmmmmmmmmmm
Also check out Panamanian micro-photographer Rogelio Moreno’s series on Pediastrum, a chlorophyte (not charophyte) alga.
*A misleading and unscientific phrase. Astral projection doesn’t exist, and it’s a bad idea to stick a $66 Gwyneth Paltrow-branded rock in your vagina. But, hey, I got you to look at some algae!
Sources & Further Reading
Buschmann, H., Zachgo, S. 2016. The Evolution of Cell Division: From Streptophyte Algae to Land Plants. Trends in Plant Science 21.10: 872-883.
Delwiche, C.F., Cooper, E.D. 2015. The Evolutionary Origin of a Terrestrial Flora. Current Biology 25: R899-R910.
Delwiche, Charles. “The Charophyceae.” The Delwiche lab page. University of Maryland. http://www.life.umd.edu/labs/delwiche/Strp/Chlorophyta/charophyceae/charophyceae.html
Kinross, John. “Pond Algae: Coleochaete.” The Algal Web. http://algalweb.net/coleochaete.htm
Lewis, L.A., McCourt, R.M. 2004. Green Algae and the Origin of Land Plants. American Journal of Botany 91.10: 1535-1556.
Speer, Brian R and Richard M. McCourt. “Desmidiales.” University of California Museum of Paleontology, 1999. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/greenalgae/charophyta/desmidiales.html
Wagner, Ralf. “Coleochaete orbicularis.” Photomacrography.net, 2010. http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10316
Wickett, N.J., Mirarab, S., Nguyen, N., Warnow, T., Carpenter, E., Matasci, N., Ayyampalayam, S., Barker, M.S., Burleigh, J.G., Glitzendanner, M.A., Ruhfel, B.R., Wafula, E., Der, J.P, Graham, S.W., Mathews, S., Melkonian, M., et al. 2014. Phylotranscriptomic analysis of the origin and early diversification of land plants. PNAS 111: E4859-E4868.
“Zygnema sp.” Culture Collection of Autotrophic Organisms, 2010. http://ccala.butbn.cas.cz/en/zygnema-sp-0
Note: Real mandalas are a spiritual symbol in Buddhism and Hinduism. This post parodies internet gimmicks and the misinterpretation of eastern culture, not spirituality and religion.
Second Note: If you research algae, send me your ~mandala~ (or string, or blob!) pics. I’ll post them on the blog and give you credit!
PLANT HUMOR 