Oscillatoria
/ˌɒsɪləˈtɔːrɪə/Biology
noun
A genus of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), the members of which form dark slimy unbranched filaments, capable of a gliding or undulating motion, in various fresh and salt water habitats; (also) an organism of this genus. In plural Oscillatoriae also: a former natural order containing the genus Oscillatoria (corresponding in part to the modern order Oscillatoriales).
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in The North American Review. From scientific Latin Oscillatoria, feminine of post-classical Latin oscillatorius.