Originally Posted by catscratch
Originally Posted by Pat Williamson
Does it have a garlicky smell when crushed? If so it appears to be chara

Can't say that I've ever noticed a smell associated with it, but I've never crushed it looking for a smell. What is the likely option if it doesn't smell? Is there a characteristic marker beside smell to distinguish chara?

A notable characteristic will be nodules of calcium carbonate. Chara feels rough due to them and is where Chara gets its alternate name "stonewort". If you cannot smell it ... it isn't likely chara. Chara smell seems to be described differently by different folks but to me it has a smell reminiscent of skunk. I am not sure of the ID but look further into coontail. The central stalk looks too bulky to be chara but it might be coontail or other similar plant.

Last edited by jpsdad; 05/16/22 04:39 PM.
It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so - Will Rogers