Haematococcus pluvialis

Flotow belongs to the Phylum Chlorophyta, Subphylum Tetraphytina, Class Chlorophyceae, Order Volvocales, Family Haematococcaceae and Genus Haematococcus.

Haematococcus pluvialis is a unicellular, biflagellated and uninucleated microalgae, with cells bounded by an ovoid, ellipsoid - cylindrical or almost globose wall. It has two distinct phases during its life cycle, a mobile (flagellate) phase of vegetative growth and a second stationary (Palmella) phase of astaxanthin carotenoid accumulation.

The local species are a priori adapted to the predominant abiotic and biotic factors and, therefore, are evolutionarily prepared for the local production of biological resources. A local strain Heamatococcus pluvialis was isolated on the island of S. Miguel, Azores.