Venus's Flower Basket belongs to a family of similar species with hydrated silica spicules. The species' scientific name is Euplectella aspergillum Owen.
According to the 2010 Encyclopedia Britannica, Richard Owen, the first director of the British Museum of Natural History, named the Venus's Flower Basket after its distinctive funnel shape. However, the Roman goddess Venus is often depicted holding a flower basket which may have some significance in the sponge's name.
The Venus's Flower Basket has a skeleton of bioglass fibers arranged in seven hierarchically arranged layers. These layers are held together by a thin layer of organic glue that is synthesized from the water.
The fiber optic spicules of the Venus' Flower Basket are more efficient than man-made versions. A recent study published by Central Michigan University raises the question whether or not the sponges use the optic qualities with bioluminescence or whether the quality is accidental.
In the ocean, tiny pairs of breeding shrimp get trapped in the latticework of the basket and must remain together for the rest of their lives. For this reason, Venus's Flower Basket is given in Japanese weddings as a symbolic gift of eternal love.