Lacy Bryozoan
Membranipora sp.
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A crisp, lace-like crust of thousands of tiny animals, often found encrusting shells and seaweed.
- Typical size
- Patches 1–6 in across
- How often it turns up
- Common once you look
- Collecting
- Usually legal to collect
- Handling
- Safe to handle
Dry, empty crusts on beach debris are fine to keep.
How to tell it apart
- Flat white or tan crust in a fine honeycomb grid
- Feels like paper or thin coral
- Grows over shells, seagrass and driftwood
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for tidepool life. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Bathtub Reef Beach · Stuart
- Anne's Beach · Islamorada
- Bahia Honda State Park · Big Pine Key
- Bathtub Beach · Stuart
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Curry Hammock State Park · Marathon
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park · Key West
- Harry Harris Park · Tavernier
- Higgs Beach · Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park · Key Largo
- Long Key State Park · Long Key
- Marineland Beach · Marineland
Found one?
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More tidepool life in the field guide
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