Freshwater Sponge

Spongilla lacustris

no photo — written note
photo: Wikimedia Commons
Insects

Greenish crusty growth on submerged logs and stones in clean water.

Field facts
HabitatClean lakes and slow rivers
RangeStatewide, easily overlooked
When to lookSummer growth
StatusSecure (Indiana DNR / IUCN Red List)
Look-alikesAlgae mats, Bryozoan colonies

Field note: Its green tint comes from algae living inside the sponge.

Lesson
Watching responsibly

Fragile colonies; look but do not scrape.

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