Lewis 1864      Category: Eunotioid
TYPE SPECIES: Actinella punctata Lewis




Sorted by maximum length (smallest to largest)

CLASS: Bacillariophyceae
  ORDER: Eunotiales
    FAMILY: Eunotiaceae

  1. Valves distinctly asymmetric
  2. Raphe highly reduced
  3. Helictoglossae distinct
  4. Spines present

Cells of Actinella grow singly, or in small colonies that are joined by mucilage secreted at the narrow ends of the cells. Valves are distinctly asymmetric to the apical and transapical axes. The raphe is highly reduced and is restricted to the ventral margins of valves. Helictoglossae are distinct as dark, silicious thickenings on the ventral margins. Small to large spines are present on the valve margins.

The species Actinella punctata is the only taxon known from North America. Nearly all records of A. punctata are from acid waters in eastern and southeastern US states. Actinella is differentiated from Eunotia by asymmetry about the transapical axis. A large number of species are known from South America and Australasia.

Cite This Page:
Spaulding, S., and Edlund, M. (2009). Actinella. In Diatoms of the United States. Retrieved November 25, 2015, from

Contributor: Sarah Spaulding | Mark Edlund - January 2009