Phylum: Charophyta   Family: Desmidiaceae

Staurastrum furcigerum (L.A. de Brébisson) W. Archer 1861

First described by Brébisson (in Ralfs 1848: 144, pl. 33: 12 c) and illustrated by Jenner, as Didymocladon furcigerus. Soon after it was moved by Archer (in Pritchard 1861: 743, pl. 3: 32, 33) to its current genus. A readily identified and common taxon.
Cell dimensions: L. 50-80 µm, B. 45-75 µm, Is. 13-18 µm.
Favours slightly acidic habitats such as loch-margins, moorland pools and abandoned peat-cuttings.

References: 
Archer, W. [in] Pritchard, A. (1871). A history of infusoria, including the Desmidiaceae and Diatomaceae, British and foreign.
Coesel, P.F.M. & Meesters, K.J. (2013). European Flora of the Desmid Genera Staurastrum and Staurodesmus.
Ralfs, J. (1848). The British Desmidieae.