The Desmidiaceae are one of four families of charophyte green algae in the order Desmidiales (desmids). Desmids in the family Desmidiaceae consist of single-celled (sometimes filamentous or colonial), microscopic green algae. Because they are highly symmetrical, attractive, and come in a diversity of forms, they are popular subjects for microscopists, both amateur and professional.

Within the desmids (Desmidiales), Desmidiaceae contains tens of genera and thousands of species, making it by far the largest family. Desmidiaceae includes some of the largest and most complex desmid genera, such as Micrasterias, Cosmarium, Staurastrum, and Euastrum.

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