Bugula

Bugula
The nudibranch Diaphorodoris papillata Portmann & Sandmeier, 1960 feeding on Bugula neritina (Linnaeus, 1758)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Bryozoa
Class:	Gymnolaemata
Order:	Cheilostomata
Family:	Bugulidae
Genus:	Bugula (Oken, 1815)

Bugula is a genus of common colonial arborescent bryozoa, often mistaken for seaweed. It commonly grows upright in bushy colonies of up to 15 cm in height.

The native distribution of Bugula neritina is presumed to be tropical and subtropical waters; however it has become widespread globally due to attachment to the hulls of vessels. It is considered an invasive species in some countries.

Bugula neritina attracted interest as a source of cytotoxic chemicals, bryostatins, under clinical investigation as anti-cancer agents. In 2001 pharmaceutical company GPC Biotech licensed Bryostatin 1 from Arizona State University for commercial development as a treatment for cancer. GPC Biotech canceled development in 2003, saying that Bryostatin 1 showed little effectiveness and some toxic side-effects.

Dried Bugula are commonly used as decorations:

"Air fern", the so-called everlasting plant that supposedly absorbs from air all the moisture it needs to live, is commonly dried colonies of the bryozoan Bugula that have been artificially coloured.

However, it should be noted that Sertularia argentea are also sold as "air ferns."

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Wikipedia