View source for Algae

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| image = River algae Sichuan.jpg
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[[Image:AlgaeTree.png|thumb|180px|The lineage of algae according to Thomas Cavallier-Smith. The three supergroups [[Archaeplastida]], [[Chromalveolata]] and [[Cabozoa]] of eukaryotic algae are denoted to reflect the table below. Endosymbiotic events are noted by dotted lines.]]
'''Algae''' (singular ''alga'') encompass several groups of relatively simple, eukaryotic, living aquatic organisms that capture [[light]] energy through photosynthesis, using it to convert inorganic substances into organic matter.{{wp}}.

Algae are photosynthetic organisms that occur in most [[habitat]]s. Algae varies from small, single-celled forms to complex multicellular forms, such as the giant [[kelp]]s that grow to 65 meters in length{{wp}}.

==Cultivation==
{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->

===Propagation===
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===Pests and diseases===
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==Varieties==
There are far too many varieties to list, with thousands known.  Here are some which stand out.

*''Arthrospira platensis'', commercially cultivated as a nutritional supplement, is a [[Cyanobacteria]] (known as blue-green algae), and has been hailed by some as a superfood.[http://www.siu.edu/~ebl/leaflets/algae.htm]
*[[Chlorella]] (a green algae), commercially cultivated as a nutritional supplement{{wp}}.
*[[Dunaliella]] (''Dunaliella salina''), commercially cultivated as a nutritional supplement, is high in [[beta-carotene]] and is used in vitamin C supplements{{wp}}.
*''[[fat choy (vegetable)|Fat choy]]'' (which is actually a [[cyanobacterium]]), popular in China as a "vegetable".
*''[[Palmaria palmata]]'' (''Rhodymenia palmata'', common name: [[dulse]]). [http://www.seaveg.co.uk/dulse.html] A red alga which is dried and may be bought in shops in [[Ireland]]. It is eaten raw, fresh or dried, or cooked like spinach.
*''Durvillaea antarctica'' [http://www.algaebase.org/speciesdetail.lasso?species_id=11752&sk=0&from=results&-session=abv3:51909EC30802716127sVj3EDC9C7] is eaten in Chile, common name: cochayuyo. [http://www.seaveg.co.uk/dulse.html]
*''[[Porphyra]]'' (common name: purple laver), is also collected and eaten in many ways around the world.
*''[[Chondrus crispus]]'', (probably confused with ''[[Mastocarpus stellatus]]'', common name: Irish moss), is used as "carrageen" for the stiffening of milk and dairy products, such as ice-cream.
*''Ulva lactuca'' (common name: sea lettuce), added to soups or used in salads in Scotland.
*''[[Alaria esculenta]]'' (common name: dabberlocks), is used either fresh or cooked.
*''[[Atractophora]] hypnoides'' P.L.Crouan and H.M.Crouan ([[red algae]])
*''[[Ascophyllum nodosum]]''
*''[[Charales]]'' ([[green algae]])
*''[[Chondrus crispus]]''
*''[[Codium]]''
*''[[Fucus]]''
*''[[Ulva lactuca]]''
*''[[Laminaria]]''
*''[[Lemanea]]''
*''[[Macrocystis]]''
*''[[Mastocarpus stellatus]]''
*''[[Pelvetia canaliculata]]''
*''[[Palmaria palmata]]''
*''[[Porphyra]]''

==Gallery==
{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->

<gallery>
Image:Seaweed.jpg|[[Seaweed]] is used as a fertiliser
Image:Laurencia.jpg|A seaweed (''Laurencia'') up close: the "branches" are multicellular and only about 1 mm thick. Much smaller algae are seen growing attached to the structure extending upwards in the lower right quarter
Image:River algae Sichuan.jpg|[[Algal blooms]] can present problems for ecosystems and human society
Image:Upload.png| photo 4
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Algaculture]]
* [[Brown Algae]]
* [[Chlorophyta]]
* [[Coccolithophore]]
* [[Coralline algae]]
* [[Cyanobacteria]]
* [[Diatom]]
* [[Golden Algae]]
* [[Green Algae]]
* [[Hydrology transport model]]
* [[Kelp]]
* [[Laminaria|''Laminaria'']]
* [[Nori]]
* [[Red Algae]]
* [[Yellow-Green Algae]]

==References==
<!--- *[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==External links==
*{{wplink}}
* [http://www.algaebase.org/ AlgaeBase] - a comprehensive database of over 35,000 Algae (132,000 names), including seaweeds, with over 5000 images and some 40,000 references.
* [http://en.phyco.org/index.php/Main_Page www.phyco.org]; a wiki-based site that is focused on energy production from algae.
* [http://forums.biodieselnow.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=71 biodieselnow.com] biodiesel production-biodiesel from algae
* [http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/information_about_plants/botanical_info/australian_freshwater_algae2 Australian freshwater algae] - Sydney Botanic Gardens
* [http://www.algae.info/ Learn about Algae & Algal Blooms] - Rural Chemical Industries (Aust.) Pty Ltd.
* [http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/ Harmful Algal Blooms - "Red tide"] - National Office for Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algal Blooms, USA.
* [http://www.professorpatents.com/algae.htm Patent Listing]Algae Related United States Patents
* [http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/algae/ Algae Section, National Museum of Natural History] - Smithsonian Institution
* [http://www.plantphysiol.org/ www.plantphysiol.org]
* [http://www-cyanosite.bio.purdue.edu/ Cyanosite]
* [http://www.naturalenviro.com/pondproblems.htm Algae Growth]
* [http://www.swelluk.com/advice/blanketweed.html Blanket Weed]
* [http://www.brphycsoc.org British Phycological Society]
* [http://www.seaweed.ie Seaweed site by Michael Guiry]
* http://www.botanicgardens.ie/educ/vis12.htm
* http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/protista/rhodophyta.html - Introduction to Rhodophyta]
* http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/algae/
* http://www.marlin.ac.uk - Marlin
* http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/flora/reds.htm - Monterey Bay Flora
* http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/flora/browns.htm - Monterey Bay Flora
* http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/flora/green.htm - Monterey Bay Flora

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