Haematococcus | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Two individuals of an unidentified Haematococcus species | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
(unranked): | Viridiplantae |
Division: | Chlorophyta |
Class: | Chlorophyceae |
Order: | Chlamydomonadales |
Family: | Haematococcaceae |
Genus: | Haematococcus Wille in Warming, 1884 |
Species | |
Haematococcus capensis |
Haematococcus is a genus of algae in the family Haematococcaceae. Members of this group are a common cause of the pink color found in birdbaths.[1] One of the most notable species of Haematococcus is H. pluvialis, which is used in cosmetic products due to its production of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant carotenoid, under stress conditions.