(Marion, 1882)
Description
Up to 120 mm tall and 80 mm diameter in full expansion.
Base typically invaginated into the column, forming a rounded cavity enclosing a ball of mud or sand, but capable of becoming normal in shape and adhering to solid substrata.
Column divided into scapus and scapulus, the former with numerous, often large solid tubercles which tend to form 12 longitudinal rows above, ending in a ring of 12 prominent coronal tubercles at the upper edge of the scapus. Scapulus bearing 24 longitudinal ridges which form pairs converging at each coronal tubercle. General texture of column tough and cartilaginous, the mesogloea very thick in contraction (although this anemone is not very contractile), usually with periderm present on the interspaces between tubercles.
Tentacles: moderate or long in extension, hexamerously arranged in five cycles, up to 96 in all. Those of the inner four (endocoelic) cycles with solid basal swellings on their aboral sides, the swellings of cycle 4 being confluent with the scapular ridges.
Colouration: Variable and typical of many deep-water anemones: column dirty white, tinged with green or red, disc and tentacles white, brown, red, etc., tentacles often longitudinally striped, with their basal swellings always white.
Habitat
Usually on muddy or sandy bottoms, always offshore, in depths greater than 50 m. This anemone usually lives free with the ball of mud in its base acting as a sea anchor but is also capable of normal attachment, occasionally being found on stones or shells.
Distribution
Generally a deep water north-east Atlantic species, occurring from Norway to Biscay, possibly in the Mediterranean or even further south, occasional in the North Sea.