Many of the species within this group are living jewels.
Desmids have spectacular symmetrical shapes.
Only equipped with a microscope can their splendor can be revealed. They show an enormous variation in body shapes and are ornamented with all kinds of arms and spines. There are circular, rotund, elongated and even moon-shaped species. Click thumbnail to see large image of desmid Details of their structure Inside each semi-cell one or more pyrenoids can be found. These form carbohydrates as energy storage.