Halichondria bowerbanki

The Crumb-of-Bread Sponge

Phylum Porifera
Class Demospongiae
Order Monactinelllida
Family Chalinidae
Genus Halichondria
Species panacea

Description: Forms an encrusting mass up to 3 cm thick; tan or yellowish; oscula are not conspicuous; texture like bread crumbs; form varies.

Habitat: Found on floats, often growing over worm tubes or up holdfasts of algae .

Natural History: It has the appearance of large breadcrumbs. When touched it gives off an odor similar to that of exploded gunpowder. This sponge can easily be found throughout the Puget Sound and in the South Sound from Percival Landing to Boston Harbor Marina.