A new genus and species of Charales (Streptophyta: Charales) in the algal flora of Belarus

For the first time, information is provided about the discovery of a new genus of charales Sphaerochara Mädler in the algal flora of Belarus is provided. The species Sphaerochara prolifera (Ziz ex A.Braun) Soulié-Märsche was discovered in June 2025, in the area of Gomel Region in a small reservoir of the upper part of the Pripyat River delta in a multi-species community of aquatic higher plants and some macroscopic algae in the form of a few thalli. A new finding specifies the regional distribution and confirms that this rare ephemeral species is present in Belarus.