Green algae

Phylum: Chlorophyta

Green algae are characteristically green, although colour can range from yellowy-green to almost black. They exist as both large attached algae and free-floating microscopic (planktonic) algae, in both freshwater and marine environments. Marine attached green algae are commonly found on shallow rocky shorelines where the sunlight penetrates the water easily. It is thought that all terrestrial plants evolved from green algae, mainly due to the presence of chlorophylls a and b, which gives them the green colouration.