Flustra foliacea is a common bryozoan throughout the temperate NE Atlantic. Colonies are predominantly found in the subtidal, but may often be washed-up along the coastline, particularly after storms. F. foliacea forms bushy colonies with stiff brown or light grey fronds. Fresh colonies have a distinctive lemon-like smell and grow to between 6 and 20 cm.  F. foliacea attaches to hard substrates including stones and shells by an encursting basal portionof the colony. The colonies provide a microhabitat to a diverse assemblage of epifaunal species.