Scytonema
| Scytonema | |
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| Order: | Nostocales (Hormogonales)
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| Family: | |
| Genus: | Scytonema Agardh ex Bornet et Flahault
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Scytonema is a genus of photosynthetic cyanobacteria that contains over 100 species. It grows in filaments that form dark mats. Many species are aquatic and are either free-floating or grow attached to a submerged substrate, while others species grow on terrestrial rocks, wood, soil, or plants. Scytonema is a nitrogen fixer, and can provide fixed nitrogen to the leaves of plants on which it is growing.[1] Some species of Scytonema form a symbiotic relationship with fungi to produce a lichen.