Parvocaulis parvulus

(Solms-Lauback) S. Berger

Umbrella Alga, Parasol Alga

Range: Widespread - Central America, South America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Asia, and Western Atlantic Ocean.

Natural Environment: Backwater areas and usually found growing on rubble along shallow protected areas.

Aquarium Suitability: This low growing alga appears to do very well when levels of calcium and magnesium are slightly above normal level, which seems to encourage its growth.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Chlorophyta

Class: Ulvophyceae

Order: Dasycladales

Family: Polyphysaceae

Genus: Parvocaulis

FYI: Often said to be short-lived in aquariums, however, at one time in the past had this species for about 18 months where light was 14K, 4 watts per gallon, and 8 hours per day.