Coleochaete is a genus of about 10 species of freshwater algae. They grow either as epiphytes on various aquatic plants and algae or as endophytes within the cells of certain green algae. The plant body of Coleochaete is multicellular and heterotrichous, with both erect and prostrate filaments. Some species have well-developed erect systems while others have prominent prostrate systems, resulting in discoid thalli that resemble a single layer of parenchyma tissue.

1. Coleochaete
Occurenece, Features and Reproduction

2. Occurrence of Coleochaete
The genus Coleochaete (Gr. Keleon, sheath; chaetos, hair) is
represented by about 10 species, out of which 3 species are found in
India. They grow in fresh water either as epiphytes on different
angiosperms (Trapa, Hydrilla, Ipomea, Sagittaria, Typha etc.) and
algae (Oedogonium, Vaucheria) or as endophytes (C. nitellarum)
within the cells of Chara and Nitella (Chlorophyceae).

3. Plant Body of Coleochaete:
Plant body of Coleochaete is multicellular and heterotrichous
in habit (Fig. 3.66A, B). They show much variation in their heterotri -
chous nature. Both erect and prostrate systems are well represented in
C. pulvinata. But others may show either welldeveloped erect system
than prostrate system (C. divergens, C. nitel larum) or prostrate system
is well-developed than the erect one (C. scutata, C. obicularis). Due to
well-developed prostrate system, it forms discoid thailus and looks like
pseudo- parenchyma of one cell in thickness. The dis coid thalli may be
a circular in C. orbicularis or irregular in C. scutata.