Sea pearl
Ventricaria ventricosa
(J. Agardh) Olsen & West, 1988
Description:
This alga forms large, thin-walled, round or elliptical sacs. The sacs are single cells, among the largest known and may nearly be 5 cm long. Dark green in color with a bright reflective sheen, often covered with thin, silvery to light lavender alga.
Habitat:
Attached to hard objects by fine, hair-like runners, in shallow water and in turtle grass beds. Tend to be solitary, but occasionally in small groups.
Distribution:
South Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean.