Top Level : Harvesting : Mussels : Mussel Species

The White Heelsplitter, Lasmigona complanata (Barnes, 1823), is a large mussel with a sharp projection (wing) on the top of its shell. It was not considered a good button species because only one-third of the shell was thick enough to make buttons.
Illinois State Museum Collection (ISM-FIA)

Photograph by Robert E. Warren, Illinois State Museum.

The <b>White Heelsplitter</b>, <i>Lasmigona complanata</i> (Barnes, 1823), is a large mussel with a sharp projection (wing) on the top of its shell. It was not considered a good button species because only one-third of the shell was thick enough to make buttons.<br>Illinois State Museum Collection (ISM-FIA)