Nostoc commune

Description

This is a cyanobacteria, one of the so called 'blue-green algae'.  You can usually see them when they’re concentrated into brownish or greenish clumps, often appearing as a scum, but which can sometimes look quite 'plant like'.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

In fresh waters they can be found suspended within the water, but are often attached to rocks and other damp surfaces where they form large clumps.

When to see it

Water born algae are normally encountered in the hot summer months, but clumps of algae in damp areas can be seen in most months of the year.

UK Status

Common

VC55 Status

Common

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Algae, Bacteria, Virus
Kingdom:
Order:
Nostocales
Family:
Nostocaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
37
First record:
28/02/2014 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
01/01/2024 (Higgott, Mike)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records