These “moss balls” are popular pets in Japan, where they are known as “marimo” (“seaweed balls”). Despite their popular English name, marimo is not a moss at all.

The name "marimo" comes from Japan, where it means "ball of seaweed." There, the popular moss balls have been turned into a tourist attraction and may be treated like pets, Hardy said.

Meet Aegagropila linnaei, commonly known as Marimo moss ball. The term roughly translates to a bouncy ball that grows in water, aptly named in 1898 by a Japanese botanist.

Marimo, more commonly known as moss balls, make a fun addition to your indoor garden and are a popular feature in aquariums. These aquatic plants are also relatively easy to care for once you know ...

If you see zebra mussels attached to moss balls, report it to the federal Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database at https://nas.er.usgs.gov .