Giant Plumose Anemone, Metridium farcimen

Giant Plumose Anemone, Metridium farcimen (giganteum)

Phylum Cnidaria,  Family Metridiidae

Giant plumose anemone; 3 specimens attached to a rock wall  

Habitat: Usually found in the sub-tidal zone, attached to rocks or pilings.

Description: A cluster of white tentacles crown a long smooth, white, orange or brown column. Body may be up to 10 cm in diameter and 100 cm high. 

Distribution: Alaska to California

Fun Fact: Small animals called zooplankton are caught by stinging cells in the feathery tentacles surrounding the mouth of the giant plumose anemone.

Photo credit: Karen Leask