Characeae, a family of multi-cellular green macro-algae, are considered to be the closest cousins of terrestrial plants, namely mosses. It was not until 1719 that S. Vaillant gave the name to the genus "Chara", which in ancient Greek means "Joy" or "Pleasure of Water". No doubt he was inspired by the joyful exuberance of meadows submerged in characea in crystal-clear waters. After all, good quality, unpolluted water is the prerequisite for characeae to establish and thrive.
Most of the taxa observed in Europe are highly vulnerable, due to habitat loss, pollution or the introduction of invasive species. In Switzerland, at a time when the Red List has just been revised, a genetic study involving the expertise of the Geneva Botanical Garden and HEPIA is shedding new light on this priority species.

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