Asterionella gracillima (Hantz.) Heib. 1863
Length:43

 Width:

Striae:fine






























Collection 1341a

 Other images

 More information



Return to Top Page Return to Genera List Return to Species List

Authority information

(Hantz.) Heib., Consp. Crit. Diat. Danicarum, p. 68, pl. 6, fig. 19, 1863 (Patrick and Reimer 1966).

Other images



More information


  • This diatom is very similar to but usually smaller than Asterionella formosa . The type locality for this taxon is Elbufer im grossen Gehege bei Dresden. Typically, this diatom is found in plankton (Patrick and Reimer 1966).


  • Synonyms (Patrick and Reimer 1966)
    Asterionella formosa var. gracillima (Hantz.) Grun. in V. H., Syn. Diat. Belgique, pl. 51, fig. 22. 1881.
    Diatoma gracillimum Hantz. in Rabh., Alg. Sachems resp. Mittleleuropas, No. 1104. 1861.


  • Ecology
    This taxon prefers cool to cold waters (Patrick and Reimer 1966).

    Size ranges and morphology

  • Length is 35 to 90 micrometers (Patrick and Reimer 1966).
  • Width is 2 to 3 micrometers (Patrick and Reimer 1966).
  • Striae are fine, and there can be 20 to 27 in 10 micrometers (Patrick and Reimer 1966).