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Anthopleura xanthogrammica (Giant green anemone)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
Look
for the giant green anemone in tidepools, surge channels, and on
rocks along exposed rocky beaches from the mid intertidal zone to
a subtidal depth of 100 feet. It is hard to miss this beautiful
anemone. When open, the tentacles may extend 10 inches in
diameter. Closed, the anemone forms a mound up to 7 inches
across. Color of the column ranges from bright emerald green
to olive green or almost brown depending on the ratio of two symbiotic
algae species in its tissues. Tentacles are relatively short,
blunt, and solidly colored in a shade of pale green.
Like
other anemones, it is a carnivore and feeds on displaced mussels,
crabs, small fish, and sea urchins.
The
scientific name, Anthopleura xanthogrammica means "yellow
lined flower". Other common names for this species are giant
tidepool anemone and solitary anemone.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 11/4/05.
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