Chamaepinnularia Schmassmannii Guide
Credit: Megan Otu
  1. Valves small, irregularly shaped
  2. Apices capitate, rostrate or blunt
  3. Each stria a single, elongate areola

Valves are linear elliptic with convex margins and capitate, rostrate or blunt apices. Specimens within a population may be irregular (asymmetric) and are often variable in the shape of the apices. The axial area is narrow near the apices, becoming more broad near the central area. The central nodule is thickened and distinct. Each stria is composed of a single, elongate areola.