the type genus of the Chlamydomonadaceae; they are solitary biflagellated plantlike algae common in fresh water and damp soil. They multiply freely and are often a pest around filtration plants.

The unicellular green alga that is probably the closest living organism to the ancestor of green plants. It reproduces both asexually and sexually (two mating types). When reproduces sexually, the mitochondria are inherited from the (-) mating type and chloroplasts from the (+) mating type.

Unicellular green alga with two flagella.