CHARA

Chara forms extensive submersed beds that can grow to the surface. If the chara grows to the surface, severe mats of filamentous algae often form on top of the chara. Chara is actually a form of algae but it mimics a submersed vascular plant. Individual plants range from a few inches to several feet in length. The plants often feel rough to the touch due to calcium carbonate deposits and typically have a garlic-like musty odor. Chara has whorls of 6-8 branchlets that radiate from the stem. A close relative of chara is nitella which can be distinguished from chara by the fact that the branchlets have branches while the chara branchlets do not. Also, nitella does not have the lime deposits or musty garlic odor. Both species are easily treatable with copper products. One of the best is Cutrine Granular Algaecide. Also good is either Captain Algaecide or Cutrine-Plus Algaecide.