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Anabaena
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Anabaena flosaquae
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Anabaena flosaquae
Anabaena flosaquae

Anabaena

cyanobacteria
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History

Anabaena, genus of nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae with beadlike or barrel-like cells and interspersed enlarged spores (heterocysts), found as plankton in shallow water and on moist soil. There are both solitary and colonial forms, the latter resembling a closely related genus, Nostoc. In temperate latitudes during the summer months, Anabaena may form water blooms.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.