Orange Encrusting Anemone

This anemone-like cnidarian lives in groups, with individuals connected to one another at the base by a sheet of tissue to make a clonal colony. The column of individuals may have embedded sand or other material. Subtidal. Color tan, light yellow, or brown, with light yellow or white tentacles (paler than the column). Height to about 5 cm, diameter to about 2 cm. Colony may be 1-2 m wide

Rocks in strong current.

Reproduce asexually by budding, thus adding to the colony. Can also reproduce sexually.

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: This is the only species of zoanthid in our area. While Anthopleura elegantissima anemones aggregate, they are not actually attached together, plus they are green and intertidal.

Biology/Natural History: These individuals reproduce asexually by budding, thus adding to the colony. They can also reproduce sexually. These animals may take several hours to expand again if they are stimulated to contract.

Rocks in strong current

Geographical Range: Western Aleutian Islands, Alaska to northern Channel Islands, CA

Depth Range: Low intertidal to 54 m

This anemone-like cnidarian lives in groups, with individuals connected to one another at the base by a sheet of tissue to make a clonal colony. The column of individuals may have embedded sand or other material. Subtidal. Color tan, light yellow, or brown, with light yellow or white tentacles. Height to about 5 cm, diameter to about 2 cm. Colony may be 1-2 m wide.