[1] Botryococcus produces high amounts of oil, which often make the colonies colored yellowish to reddish.

[2] Because of its high amounts of oil, Botryococcus is of interest to the field of biotechnology, as it is a promising source of biofuel.

The matrix is often impregnated with oil that gives the colony a yellowish, brownish or reddish color.

[1] The algae is frequently found in plankton in waters with differing characteristics and a wide geographic distribution.

Species are distinguished by morphological characters such as the cell size, shape, and characteristics of the mucilage.