This is a filamentous cyanobacterium commonly found in freshwater environments, often appearing blue-green in color. Its name stems from the oscillating motion of its filaments, which adjust their position to face light sources optimally. Reproduction in Oscillatoria occurs through fragmentation, where dead cells divide a filament into separate segments known as hormogonia, which then grow into new filaments. Oscillatoria relies on photosynthesis for energy production and reproduction. Each filament consists of a chain of cells called a trichome, with the tip oscillating akin to a pendulum. Research has explored Oscillatoria for its natural production of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), an antioxidant and industrial chemical. Additionally, cyclic peptides known as venturamides, isolated from this genus, exhibit potential anti-malarial activity, marking them as the first peptides with such properties discovered in cyanobacteria.