The morphology of Oedogonium is unique, with an interior and exterior that function differently from one another and change throughout its life cycle.

Although quite common, Oedogonium is difficult to identify since key definitive markers are only present during reproduction, which is an uncommon life stage among this genus.

"[12] Oedogonium species were first reported in the late 19th century by Hilse (1860),[13] Gołowin (1964),[14] Kirchner (1878),[15] Kozłowski (1895)[16] and Gutwiński (1897).

[17] Mrozińska[3][4][5] was the first to examine the genus in terms of morphology, ecology and distribution and described more than 400 species, mainly from southern Poland.

[18] In 1991, a paper by Mrozińska presented a new taxonomic classification of the genus Oedogonium, and a proposed division into two sections: I. Monospermatozoideae and II.

These sections were based on the different number of spermatozoids the antheridial (male sex organ containing) cell expresses.

The holdfast cell produces elongated growths from both unattached sides which aid in firmly attaching the filament to a substrate.

[19] The protoplasm of Oedogonium is contained by a plasma membrane, and consists of a single nucleus, reticulate chloroplasts, cytoplasm and a central vacuole.

The single nucleus is large, oval shaped, and sits in the centre of the cell, usually touching the membrane and internal to the chloroplast.

[citation needed] Oedogonium resides in freshwater ecosystems and prefers stagnant waters, such as small ponds, pools, roadside ditches, marshes, lakes, and reservoirs.

[9] It grows over a large pH range (7.3-9.6) and displays a wide tolerance to variation in nutrient type and amount in water.

When free-floating they form polyalgal patches (mats) on the water's surface to establish a relatively static habitat, created by interweaving multiple different algal filaments suspended in a gelatinous matrix.

When attached to a substrate, the ring of flagella is lost, and the zoospore begins dividing to form a new filament.

Dwarf males are small, short, antheridium-producing filaments attached near the oogonia (female sex organ).

Zygotes (oospores) are initially green but will gradually become an orange-red colour and develop a thick multi-layered cell wall with species-specific surface adornments.

The zygote then undergoes meiosis and reproduces asexually to form the filamentous green alga which is haploid (1n).

[21] Studies from 2007 onwards have revealed that Oedogonium cells have a maximum high heavy metal absorption capacity (qe).

The biosorption of heavy metal ions by the Oedogoniales occurs in two stages; an initial rapid uptake due to surface adsorption on the three major cell wall components, followed by a subsequent slow uptake due to membrane transport of metal ions to the cytoplasm of the cells.

Each alga included in the bloom is short-lived, and this results in a high concentration of dead organic matter.

Oedogonium can also significantly clog irrigation canals when their growth on concrete surfaces becomes excessive due to high levels of benthic filaments.

[10] Removal of Oedogonium from clogged irrigation canals can also prove to be cost effective as they may once again be dried and used for absorption of heavy metals.