BRYOZOA : Cheilostomatida : FlustridaeSEA MATS

Flustra foliacea (Linnaeus, 1758)

Hornwrack


Flustra foliacea image: flufol
Flustra foliacea

Description: This bryozoan consists of branching flat fronds and is sometimes mistaken for a seaweed.

Habitat: A typical species of sand-scoured areas, attached to bedrock, boulders and cobbles.

Distribution: Common and widespread throughout the British Isles.

Similar Species: Several other bryozoans are similar in shape and habit, but smaller. Securiflustra securifrons has narrower blades which tend to be divided into wedge-shaped segments.

Key Identification Features:

  • Flat leathery fronds
  • Surface of both sides of frond with small square zooids

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

iNaturalist: Flustra foliacea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

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 Picton, B.E., Keatley, L. & Morrow, C.C. (2026). Flustra foliacea. (Linnaeus, 1758). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://habitas.org/mbdp/species.php?item=Y6940. Accessed on 2026-11-01