genus of green algae found growing attached to rocks or timbers submerged in shallow lakes and streams; there are some marine species. Coarse in appearance, with regular-branching filaments that have cross walls separating multinucleate segments, Cladophora grows in the form of a tuft or ball with filaments that may range up to 13 cm (5 inches) in length. Asexual reproduction involves small, motile spores (zoospores) with four flagella; in sexual reproduction the biflagellate gametes normally unite, although they sometimes develop into new plants without union.