helicala
Helicala is a fictional genus of photosynthetic algae created for use in speculative biology and science fiction to illustrate helically organized growth patterns. The name combines the Greek helix, meaning coil, with alga, signaling its spiraling filamentous form.
Description and morphology: Helicala forms slender, ribbon‑like filaments that twist into double helices when submerged. Individual
Taxonomy and classification: In speculative literature, Helicala is placed in a fictional family Helicaceae within the
Habitat and ecology: In the imagined world, Helicala inhabits cool, freshwater environments such as slow-moving streams
Discovery and use: The genus was introduced by a fictional researcher in a mid‑to‑late 20th‑century context