Ircinia dendroides (Schmidt 1862)

Growth form partially erect (ca. 5–10 cm in diameter) with quite cylindrical ramifications (0.8–1.5 cm in thickness) anastomosing in a lax irregular network growing flat on the substrate with few short uprising processes. Colour light to dark grey. Consistency finely sandy. Inhalant and exhalant apertures not evident. Skeleton network irregularly reticulate with large meshes (100–500 µm in diameter) of primary (120–200 µm) and secondary (30–90 µm) fibres. Primaries with a dark pith rich of foreign inclusions; secondaries laminated and converging in several cribrose plates. Spongin filaments abundant (3.5–5.0 µm thick), with a terminal knob (8–10 µm).