Staurastrum paradoxum
image © Alfred van Geest

Staurastrum paradoxum. Notice cup-shaped semicell body with stout, arm-like processes.
Cell dimensions (L x B): 36 x 42 µm

Staurastra paradoxum
image © Marien van Westen

The zygospore of St. paradoxum.



 


Desmid of the Month
December 2025

Staurastrum paradoxum


Staurastrum paradoxum belongs to the group of Staurastra marked with arm-like processes. The semicell body is cup-shaped; the processes are rather stout, parallel or divergent and tipped with some four stout spines. Whereas the processes are ornamented with regular concentric series of small, acute granules, the semicell body is only scarcely furnished with some scattered granules. The zygospore is about globose with stout, furcate spines. In the Netherlands, St. paradoxum is of rather common occurrence in acidic, oligotrophic bogs and moorland pools. The zygospores are only known from a few sites.

Staurastrum paradoxum
image © Alfred van Geest (mouse-over)

Another cell of St. paradoxum showing its 3-radiate configuration (mouse-over).

Staurastrum paradoxum
image © Alfred van Geest (mouse-over)

Another cell of St. paradoxum. Notice stout, terminal spines (mouse-over).