Synedra Ehrenberg
	From Greek synedria, "a sitting together"
	The genus Synedra has long, needle-like cells that exist singly or in radiate colonies. In the colonies the cells are clustered together at one point by a mucilage cushion that is secreted from a pore field on each cell. Certain species have two short horns or spines protruding from the valve face just above the pore field. The valves are covered by rows of round or elongated areolae. The cells appear rectangular when viewed from the girdle or side view. Each cell has two long, plate-like plastids.
The genus is araphid, meaning the cells do not have a raphe structure on either valve. However, one marine species is able to glide by secreting mucilage from grooves on both ends of the cell. Recently, Synedra has been subdivided, and some species have been moved to three new genera.
	Empty cell in valve view with striae clearly visible.
Live cell in valve view. Note the pattern of striations (above), and the chloroplasts and organelles (below).
	Live cell in girdle (side) view.
Girdle or side view of cleaned valves with only the siliceous frustules remaining, viewed with scanning electron microscopy at high magnification. Note the series of girdle bands fitted between the two valves.
The individual pores, or areolae, are arranged in rows known as striae.