Description: A classic species of water-filled depressions on the Carboniferous limestone of the Burren, and at both inland and coastal sites along the western seaboard of Ireland, L. cladodes begins life as a tiny cushion of underwater jelly. Later this innocuous shape branches to produce lobes with swollen lobe-ends, which are its trademark. Often these detach to form globular balls like bits of sponge.

Key Identification Features:

• Thallus cushion-like at first, then with lobes with conspicuous swollen ends
• In watery depressions in limestone ledges.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Synalissina cladodes at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Synalissina cladodes at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.