Category: Sponges view all from this category

Description 24" (61 cm) wide, 36" (91 cm) high. Vase-shaped or bell-shaped, with a deep central cavity. Reddish to reddish-brown. Surface irregular, with small pores and coarse longitudinal ribs.

Habitat Attached to rocks projecting a short distance above the bottom; from below low-tide line to water 50' (15 m) deep.

Range Florida to Mexico; Bahamas; West Indies.

Discussion An accumulation of coral sediment is usually present in this sponge's central cavity, apparently with no ill effects. This species, often washed ashore during storms, becomes tough and shrunken when dried.