Common Stonewort - Chara vulgaris

This is a green alga species. It is multicellular and superficially resembles land plants because of stem-like and leaf-like structures.

The County Recorder has asked for a specimen of this plant to be retained for verification

Mainly a freshwater species but has also been found in slightly brackish water. The species is found in a large spectre of habitats, ponds, puddles, ditches, rivers, littoral pools and periodical waters. Very few finds are from lakes. It is found both in soft and alkaline water and it grows down to 1 metre.

Summer is the best time to see this species.

Both annual and perennial forms occur. Plants surviving the winter will often give rise to new shoots the next year.

It seems to be widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.