Spongy Cushion (Codium setchellii)
Spongy cushion (black) with sea anemones and sea lettuce (green) (photo credit: Maddy Gooldy)
Description: This algae is often confused for an odd looking part of the rock or even tar, with its irregular glob shape that ranges form dark green to black in color. The cushions can be up to 25 cm across but often under 1.5 cm thick.
Habitat: Spongy cushions are found on rocks in the low intertidal from Sitka, Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. They are most commonly found in exposed areas.
Tide Pool Tidbits:
While it may not look tasty, sea urchins and snails regularly feed on the spongy cushion.
As the spongy cushion ages, the texture of the algae changes from firm to spongy.
References: The New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest by J Duane Sept, Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia,