Foxtail Stonewort
Lamprothamnium papulosum
Foxtail Stonewort is a distinctive aquatic charophyte algae characterized by its branching, segmented structure and calcified stems that give it a rough, stone-like texture. This submerged macroalgae forms dense underwater meadows and plays a crucial ecological role in stabilizing sediments, providing habitat for invertebrates, and maintaining water clarity through nutrient uptake.
21
Countries
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Charophyta
Class
Charophyceae
Order
Charales
Family
Characeae
Genus
Lamprothamnium
Foxtail Stonewort belongs to the family Characeae, order Charales, within the Charophyceae class.
Species Profile
Foxtail Stonewort is a distinctive aquatic charophyte algae characterized by its branching, segmented structure and calcified stems that give it a rough, stone-like texture. This submerged macroalgae forms dense underwater meadows and plays a crucial ecological role in stabilizing sediments, providing habitat for invertebrates, and maintaining water clarity through nutrient uptake.
Foxtail Stonewort faces severe decline primarily due to habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and eutrophication of its shallow aquatic environments. The species is particularly vulnerable to water quality changes and physical disturbance of sediments in its restricted coastal and brackish water habitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Foxtail Stonewort inhabits shallow brackish lagoons, coastal pools, and sheltered estuarine waters with moderate salinity levels. It typically grows in sandy or muddy substrates in waters 0.5-3 meters deep where salinity fluctuates between fresh and marine conditions.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Foxtail Stonewort faces severe decline primarily due to habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and eutrophication of its shallow aquatic environments. The species is particularly vulnerable to water quality changes and physical disturbance of sediments in its restricted coastal and brackish water habitats.
Coastal development and habitat destruction
Water pollution and eutrophication
Climate change and sea level rise
Recreational activities and physical disturbance
Sedimentation and turbidity increases
Found in 21 Countries
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). Foxtail Stonewort (Lamprothamnium papulosum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/foxtail-stonewort