Description: The form of this sponge can be very polymorphic, varying from thin sheets, massive forms and cushions to branching-repent forms. Prone to give off stout branching processes which develop into oscular chimneys. The colour is also variable, green in well-lit sites owing to the presence of algae and cream-yellow in more shaded sites. The surface of the sponge is usually smooth, often with a slightly glassy appearance.

Habitat: An opportunistic species found in a wide range of habitats from the mid-shore to the lower-circalittoral and under a wide variety of physical conditions.

Distribution: A common species on all coasts of the British Isles.

Similar Species: This species can be difficult to identify in the field, however it does have a characteristic smell when fresh, once recognised this is a reliable character to use for field identification.

Key Identification Features:

• Green colour.
• Glassy appearance to surface.
• Distinctive smell.

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

iNaturalist: Halichondria panicea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Halichondria panicea at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Halichondria (Halichondria) panicea (Pallas, 1766). AphiaID: 165853.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Porifera; Demospongiae; Heteroscleromorpha; Suberitida; Halichondriidae; Halichondria