Trentepohlia consists of branched filaments of cells; the filament occurs in two systems, a prostrate and an erect system. Both prostrate and erect systems are variously branched; the branching is typically alternate or irregular, rarely opposite. Occasionally, the erect system of filaments may be reduced. The ends of filaments may be somewhat attenuated, and end in a cellulose cap or a cylindrical, unicellular hair. Cells are cylindrical, barrel-shaped or spherical, one to five times longer than broad, with thin or thick and lamellate
cell walls. Within each cell there are multiple, discoid
chloroplasts or a single band-shaped chloroplast; chloroplasts lack
pyrenoids. The chloroplast is typically obscured by carotenoid pigments, giving the cells an orange or red color.
Reproduction The life cycle of
Trentepohlia is poorly known. It is known to reproduce both
asexually and
sexually. Asexual reproduction is via
zoospores, which are quadriflagellate and produced in terminal sporangia. Sexual reproduction is by biflagellate gametes which are produced in spherical or urn-shaped gametangia. The gametangia are located either at the ends of filaments (terminal) or in at the sides or middle of filaments (lateral, intercalary).
Trentepohlia is generally hypothesized to undergo an
alternation of generations. In this scheme, it alternates between
haploid gametophytes which produce biflagellate
isogamous gametes, and
diploid sporophytes which undergo
meiosis to form quadriflagellate zoospores. However, it has also been reported that biflagellate gametes are able to germinate into new organisms without fusing sexually. == Habitat and ecology ==