DESCRIPTION:  Up to 5cm in diameter.  The Cushion Star is always a delightful creature to find and comes in a variety of colours including the normal pale orange to brown, the occasional green or even the rarer cream.  This is a small and thick little starfish with five (rarely 4 or 6 blunt arms and an upper surface that roughened due to an array of short spines.  The ventral surface is flat, with the mouth at the centre. Each of the mouth's plates bear two spines. DISTRIBUTION:  Common throughout the UK where the habitat is appropriate. HABITAT: Found in rockpools but can be seen in deeper areas. TIME TO SEE:  All year round.