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Metridium spp. (White plumed anemone)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
Two
species of Metridium can be found in Pacific Northwest
marine waters. Metridium senile is smaller, growing to
about 2 inches in diameter at the base and 4 inches high when the
animal is fully extended. Metridium giganteum can grow
to 3 feet high. Color in both species is variable (white, cream,
tan, brown, or orange). The column is smooth. The very fine
tentacles (which may number one hundred or more) are white, brown,
or gray.
Look
for Metridium on rocky beaches and also on docks and pilings.
If the water is clear when you're waiting for a ferryboat, look
at the base of the pilings where the boat pulls in and you may see
some of the large ones open and swaying with the movement of the
water as they capture plankton with their tentacles. When
the tide is out, Metridium may droop from its point of
attachment like a sock with a rock in the toe.
Other
common names for these animals are plumose anemone for M. senile
and giant plumose anemone for M. giganteum.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 10/30/05.
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