Hydrolyzed sponges are extracted from Zixiaohua. Zixiaohua is recorded in ancient botanical maps and originates from Spongilla fragilis Lecidy and Ephydatia muelleri var. japonica (Hilgendorf). The dry population is harvested from September to December and dried to be used for applications.

Its animal form is a brittle needle sponge, often growing into rod-like clusters with an uneven surface. Gray to brown in color, it features visible water holes. The body structure consists of a dense network of spongy vertical and horizontal fibers, which becomes extremely fragile after drying. Under microscopic observation, the slender, acicular body bones are smooth, sharp at both ends, measuring 180 to 255 microns in length and 5 to 16 microns in thickness. The bud bones range from 3 to 8 microns in diameter and up to 120 microns in length, presenting various sizes and numbers of thorns.