An order of the class Phytamastigophorea. Many botanists consider this group a part of the class Chrysophyceae, the golden-brown algae. Chrysomonads, also known as Chrysomonadina, are usually small flagellates, Mallomonas being about the largest. They are yellow to brown because of phycocrysin in the usual one or two chromatophores, but some lack chromatophores. Uroglena colonies may be quite large. Many species form diagnostic siliceous cysts. Palmelloid colonies (Hydrurus) consist of a tough, gelatinous matrix holding many nonflagellate cells. Starch is not formed, but fats are, and the refractive carbohydrate leucosin is common. The flagella are usually two, rarely three, and are subequal. Nuclei are small.