Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae)
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Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, are a phylum of photosynthetic bacteria. Unlike true algae (which are eukaryotic), these are prokaryotic organisms. They are ubiquitous on Vancouver Island, found in freshwater lakes, marine intertidal zones, and even on damp terrestrial soils. While some species like Nostoc have traditional uses, many others form harmful algal blooms (HABs) that release toxins dangerous to humans and pets.
Species |
Name |
Family |
Status |
Hazards |
Edible |
Other |
Medicinal |
Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anabaena circinalis (syn. Dolichospermum circinalis) |
Coiled Anabaena | Nostocaceae | Common (Blooms) | Neurotoxins (Anatoxin) |
No |
Nitrogen fixer |
- |
|
| Anabaena azollae | Water Fern Symbiont | Nostocaceae | Rare (Host Threatened) | - |
- |
Symbiont in Azolla |
- |
|
| Aphanizomenon flos-aquae | AFA / Blue-Green Flakes | Aphanizomenaceae | Abundant (Blooms) | Liver toxins (Microcystins) |
Caution (Supplements only) |
Biofertilizer |
Nutritional support |
|
| Calothrix parietina | Black Rock Crust | Rivulariaceae | Common | - |
- |
Rock colonization |
- |
|
| Gloeotrichia echinulata | Hedgehog Algae | Rivulariaceae | Common | Skin irritant / Hepatotoxin |
No |
- |
- |
|
| Lyngbya wollei | Woolly Mat Algae | Oscillatoriaceae | Common (Nuisance) | Dermatitis / Saxitoxins |
No |
- |
- |
|
| Microcystis aeruginosa | Microcystis Bloom | Microcystaceae | Abundant (Blooms) | Hepatotoxins (High Risk) |
No |
- |
- |
|
| Nostoc commune | Star Jelly / Witch's Butter | Nostocaceae | Common | BMAA (potential) |
Yes (Traditional) |
Soil stabilizer |
Anti-inflammatory |
|
| Nostoc pruniforme | Mare's Eggs | Nostocaceae | Occasional | - |
Yes (Historical) |
- |
- |
|
| Oscillatoria princeps | Black Scum | Oscillatoriaceae | Common | Contact irritant |
No |
Aquarium pest |
- |
|
| Phormidium autumnale | Autumn Mat | Oscillatoriaceae | Common | Neurotoxins (Anatoxin) |
No |
- |
- |
|
| Rivularia atra | Black Rivularia | Rivulariaceae | Common (Marine) | - |
- |
- |
- |
|
| Scytonema myochrous | Dark Felt Algae | Scytonemataceae | Common | - |
- |
Nitrogen fixer |
- |
|
| Spirulina subsalsa | Saltmarsh Spirulina | Spirulinaceae | Occasional | - |
- |
Microscopy subject |
- |
|
| Tolypothrix distorta | Tufted Cyanobacteria | Nostocaceae | Common | - |
- |
- |
- |
|
| Woronichinia naegeliana | Snowflake Algae | Coelosphaeriaceae | Common | Toxic to zooplankton |
No |
- |
- |