Description: This sponge forms flattened blades attached to the substratum by a small stalk and expanded base. The blades are typically wavy or ridged. The surface has a mealy appearance with small oscules and convergent excurrent channels.

Habitat: Found offshore on open exposed coasts in deep water, usually below 35m.

Distribution: Western coasts of Ireland, Aran Islands and Kerry Head shoals. Western English Channel.

Similar Species: Very distinctive. On the French coast Endectyon teissieri has a similar flattened form.

Key Identification Features:

• Distinctive stalked flattened shape
• Oscules with excurrent channels

Distribution Map from NBN: Axinella flustra at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Axinella flustra at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Axinella flustra at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Axinella flustra Topsent, 1892. AphiaID: 132476.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Porifera; Demospongiae; Heteroscleromorpha; Axinellida; Axinellidae; Axinella