Algae or alga (sing.) is the collective term for a diverse group of relatively simple plant-like organisms, who are mainly photosynthetic. Both unicellular algae (residing in aquatic environments), as well as multicellular seaweeds, belong to this group. Members of this group have no roots, leaves or flowers, when compared to the higher plants (who evolved later). Algae are known in the fossil record since the Precambrian era.

Among other, the Chlorophyta (green algae) belong to the group of algea.

Do you have additional information for this article? Please contact the Fossiel.net Team.