Bittersweet

Sally Thomas: I opt for a member of the bittersweet family... most likely the Atlantic bittersweet.


bittersweet
Click for 500px image
bittersweet
Click for 500px image
bittersweet
Click for 500px image
bittersweet
Click for 500px image



Sharon: The closest bittersweet in the NC Sea Grant handbook that sounds similar to the Atlantic Bittersweet, is Giant Bittersweet:
Bivalves, Ark-Shaped bittersweets (Glycymerididae)
Giant Bittersweet Glycymeris Americana (DeFrance)
Description: (4 inches) Round, somewhat flat shell. Indistinct broad radial ribs sculptured with radiating scratches. Central beak. Long, curved hinge with 19 to 24 teeth. Scalloped margin. No pallial sinus. Velvety periostracum.
Color: Grayish tan exterior, mottled with yellowish brown. Dark brown periostracum.
Habitat: Lives offshore. Dense concentrations at 75-foot depths off Cape Fear. Commonly found on beaches near and south of Cape Fear. Occasionally netted as incidental catch by offshore fishing boats.
Range: North Carolina to Florida.
Notes: It has a bitter taste, as its name implies, so it cannot be considered for commercial harvest. It has a muscular foot.
Source: Seashells of North Carolina, North Carolina Sea Grant College Program

No comments:

Some Common Coastal NC Species

Alternate Tellin
Alternate Tellin
, Tellina Alternata (Say)

Angelwing
Angelwing
, Cyrtopleura costata (Linnaeus)

Atlantic Auger
Atlantic or Eastern Auger
, Terebra dislocata (Say)

Atlantic calico scallop
Atlantic calico scallop
, Argopecten gibbus (Linnaeus)

Common Nutmeg
Common Nutmeg
, Cancellaria reticulata (Linnaeus)

Cross Barred Venus
Cross Barred Venus
, Chione cancellata (Linnaeus)

Angelwing
Fallen Angelwing
, Atlantic Mud Piddock, Barnea truncata (Say)

Angelwing
False Angelwing
, Petricola pholadiformis (Lamarck)

Humphrey Wentletrap
Humphrey Wentletrap
, Epitonium humphreysii (Kiener)

Imperial Venus Clam
Imperial Venus
, Chione latilirata (Conrad)

Keyhole Limpet
Cayenne keyhole limpet
, Diodora cayenensis (Larmarck)

Keyhole Sand Dollar
Keyhole Sand Dollar
, Mellita quiquiesperforata (Leske, 1778)

Lettered Olive
Lettered Olive
, Oliva sayana (Ravenel)