Jewel anemone  (Corynactis viridis)

Not threatened (3).

The jewel anemone is so-called because of its spectacular colouration. Individuals may be bright green, orange, red, pink or white and the tentacles and their tips are typically contrasting colours (2). The body of this anemone, correctly known as the ‘column’ is smooth, and has a rather squat appearance (2). Up to 100 tentacles, each terminating in a small swelling, are arranged in three rings around the mouth, which is situated at the top of a small cone (4).

This anemone is common on the south and western coasts of Britain (4) and reaches the northern extreme of its range in the Shetland Isles (2). It is found as far south as the Mediterranean (4).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Found on rocks in shaded places such as beneath overhangs and in crevices on the lower shore (3), extending down to the sublittoral to depths of about 80 m (2).

This anemone is often found in very large aggregations in suitable habitats, particularly on vertical surfaces (3). It reproduces asexually by means of ‘longitudinal fission’, in which means that individuals spilt in half. Sometimes this fission is not complete and two anemones may remain partially attached (5).

This species is not threatened.

Not relevant.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

For more on this species see:

Ager, O.E.D. (2001) Corynactis viridis. Jewel anemone Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme. [On-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 27/11/2003]. Available on-line at:
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Corynactisviridis.htm