Oscillatoria willei is a species of bacteria that is able to photosynthesize to make food, similarly to plants.

Bacteria of the genus Oscillatoria occur in rows of cells of similar size.

This species of Oscillatoria is able to fix nitrogen, but unlike other bacteria, it is uncertain whether or not it has cells specialized for that particular purpose.

Fragments of filaments of Oscillatoria willei are called hormogonia.

They consist of dozens of cells, which sometimes break off to reproduce by establishing new colonies.