Microcystis

noun

Mi·​cro·​cys·​tis

: a genus of unicellular blue-green algae (family Chroococcaceae) forming irregularly shaped colonies within a common gelatinous envelope and including at least one species (M. aeruginosa) that is poisonous and may become abundant and troublesome in lakes especially where much organic matter is present

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from micr- + -cystis

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