''Haematococcus'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

algae Algae ( , ; : alga ) are any of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic, eukaryotic organisms. The name is an informal term for a polyphyletic grouping that includes species from multiple distinct clades. Included organisms range from ...

in the family Haematococcaceae. Members of this group are a common cause of the pink color found in birdbaths. One of the most notable species of ''Haematococcus'' is ''H. pluvialis'', which is used in cosmetic products due to its production of

astaxanthin Astaxanthin is a keto-carotenoid within a group of chemical compounds known as terpenes. Astaxanthin is a metabolite of zeaxanthin and canthaxanthin, containing both hydroxyl and ketone functional groups. It is a lipid-soluble pigment with r ...

, a powerful antioxidant

carotenoid Carotenoids (), also called tetraterpenoids, are yellow, orange, and red organic pigments that are produced by plants and algae, as well as several bacteria, and fungi. Carotenoids give the characteristic color to pumpkins, carrots, parsnips, cor ...

, under stress conditions. File:Haematococcus pluvialis.jpg, Drawing of '' Haematococcus pluvialis''Frank Shipley Collins. ''The Green Algae of North America'', Volume II of Tufts College Studies, Published by Tufts College, 1909, pp 79-480. From Plate II. File: Haematococcus pluvialis flagellate.jpg, Flagellate stage File:Haematococcus pluvialis 3.jpg, When stressed, this green microalgae, '' Haematococcus pluvialis'', degrades chlorophylls and accumulates a strong red antioxidant, the carotenoid

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Chlamydomonadales genera Chlamydomonadales {{Chlorophyceae-stub

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