What is another name for didymo, a freshwater organism found in rivers?

Didymo, scientifically known as Didymosphenia geminata, is commonly referred to as "rock snot." This nickname arises from its appearance; when the organism blooms, it forms dense mats that resemble snot on the surfaces of rocks in freshwater environments. The growth of didymo can significantly impact aquatic ecosystems by smothering other important habitat-forming organisms and altering nutrient dynamics.

While green algae, water molds, and blue-green algae refer to different types of organisms, they do not describe didymo accurately. Green algae are a distinct group of photosynthetic organisms, water molds belong to a separate biological classification generally associated with decay, and blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are a different category altogether. Thus, the term "rock snot" is uniquely aligned with didymo and is critical for understanding its identity and ecological implications in freshwater systems.