Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Water net
green algae
Also known as: Hydrodictyon
Water net, (genus Hydrodictyon), genus of filamentous green algae (family Hydrodictyaceae) sometimes found on the surface of quiet freshwater bodies. Because of its reproductive efficiency, Hydrodictyon proliferates rapidly and can be a problem in ponds, recreational waters, and irrigation canals.
Water net forms a free-floating network of multinucleate cells arranged in hexagons or pentagons and up to 20 cm (7.9 inches) in total length. Sexual reproduction is by fusion of similar gametes (isogamy). Asexual reproduction is by motile zoospores, hundreds of them contained in each cell becoming arranged in small netlike structures. When a mature Hydrodictyon net dissociates, each cell liberates a miniature net.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.