Clustered Stonewort
Tolypella glomerata
Clustered Stonewort (Tolypella glomerata) is a distinctive charophyte algae characterized by its clustered, spherical reproductive structures and delicate branching pattern. This aquatic macroalga forms dense underwater meadows in shallow freshwater environments, playing a crucial role in stabilizing sediments and providing habitat structure for invertebrates and fish spawning areas.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Walter Wimmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Walter Wimmer
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Charophyta
Class
Charophyceae
Order
Charales
Family
Characeae
Genus
Tolypella
Clustered Stonewort belongs to the family Characeae, order Charales, within the Charophyceae class.
Species Profile
Clustered Stonewort (Tolypella glomerata) is a distinctive charophyte algae characterized by its clustered, spherical reproductive structures and delicate branching pattern. This aquatic macroalga forms dense underwater meadows in shallow freshwater environments, playing a crucial role in stabilizing sediments and providing habitat structure for invertebrates and fish spawning areas.
Clustered Stonewort faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss of suitable freshwater environments. Water pollution, eutrophication, and human disturbance of aquatic ecosystems have contributed to population declines across its range, making this charophyte algae vulnerable to extinction.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Clustered Stonewort inhabits shallow freshwater environments including ponds, lakes, slow-moving streams, and temporary pools with calcareous or brackish waters. This charophyte algae typically grows in clear, nutrient-poor waters with muddy or sandy substrates at depths ranging from a few centimeters to several meters.
Threats
Habitat loss and degradation of freshwater systems
Water pollution and eutrophication
Agricultural runoff and nutrient loading
Climate change affecting water chemistry
Human disturbance of aquatic habitats
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Clustered Stonewort (Tolypella glomerata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/clustered-stonewort