Family: Unicells or cells loosely attached forming hyphae; cell body varied in shape, a constriction at the center in most species; cell walls consisting of two or more parts, with small pores and various ornaments (Illustrations of The Japanese Fresh-water Algae, 1977).
Genus: Cell body crescent in shape (long, curved, tapered at both ends); cross section rounded; cell wall smooth or with longitudinal lines, bands on the cell wall in some species; chloroplast laminae ridged and radially arranged, which makes cross section star-shaped; pyrenoids aligned or scattered (Illustrations of The Japanese Fresh-water Algae, 1977).