Beadlet anemone  (Actinia equina)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The beadlet anemone is the most familiar sea anemone in Britain. When disturbed or exposed to air at low tide it appears as a bright red blob of jelly (3), but when feeding up to 192 beautiful stinging tentacles emerge, arranged in 6 circles around the mouth (2). The smooth ‘body’ of the anemone, correctly known as the column, is usually bright red but may be greenish or brown, with blue, green or yellow spots. There is often a brilliant blue line around the adhesive base, and bright blue spots (known as acrorhagi) containing stinging cells are located at the top of the column (2).

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