CHARA, in botany, a genus of the cryptogamia algae class. The calix consists of two leaves; the antheræ are globular and sessile; there are three stigmata, and one round seed. The species are four, three of which are natives of Britain, viz. the tomentosa, or brittle chara; the vulgaris, or common chara; the hispida, or rough chara; and the flexilis, or smooth chara.