algae

plural of algaform-ofplural

Algal organisms viewed collectively or as a mass; algal growth.uncountableusually

• It has been disputed whether the sounds thus made are produced by the grating of the creature's tongue-ribbon on the glass, as it files off small particles of algae and vegetable moulds, which are invisible to our eyes...
• Algae grows best in shallow water, 3 inches (7.5 cm) deep or less, especially where poor seedbed preparation has created low areas with poor surface drainage, and in fields with inadequate decomposition of organic matter.

A particular kind of alga.countableusually

• This hollow, lumpy, yellow-brown algae grows epiphytically in sac-like clumps on large seaweeds and on rocks.
• This algae grows relatively quickly, even in temporary ponds and water holes in the desert, so it remained widely known.