Size

Individual zooids: 1-1.5cm (1/4"-1/2") Colony height: reaching 0.3cm (0.1") Colonies width: reaching 10cm (4").

Recognition Characters

Form large brightly colored patches on rocks and sponges. Although they form true colonies, the crowded individual zooids each have a distinct oval outline and two tubular siphons open on the upper surface. Colonies have a soft, gelatinous appearance. The tunic is actually transparent revealing the color of the zooid underneath.

Color

Can grow in multiple color variations. Commonly yellow-green, green, orange, yellow, purple and bluish-purple.

Habitat & Depth

Encrust hard bottoms, coral, rocks, jetties and shipwrecks. Also attach to many other organisms including sponges, bryozoans, hydrozoan, and other tunicates. Shallow water to 30m.

Distribution at GRNMS

Locally abundant when found.

Geographic Range

North Carolina south to Jamaica. West coast of Florida, West Indies, and also Bermuda

Behavior & Notes

Similar in appearance to Symplegma rubra but may be distinguished by contrasting shades of color around siphons.

Synonyms

Symplegma viride, Symplegma brakenhielmi

References

Humann 1992a