Guide to Gomphonema californicum
Credit: Rosalina Stancheva
- Valve lanceolate-clavate
- Axial area narrow, lanceolate
- Central area rectangular
- Striae slightly radiate to radiate
- Median central striae short
Valves are lanceolate-clavate. The axial area is narrow and lanceolate. Striae are slightly radiate at the center, to strongly radiate toward the footpole; areolae distinct. Median striae on both sides of the central area are shorter. A characteristic feature is the presence of an apical spine at the headpole, which requires close examination in LM.