Linnaeus, 1758
Description
Colonies much stouter and more fleshy than other British sea-pens, up to 400 mm long. Fused autozooids form large triangular leaves arranged more or less alternately in two opposing lateral rows. Siphonozooids occur in a broad band on each side of the naked dorsal tract and a narrower band each side of the ventral tract, extending a little between the leaves but never on to them.
Colouration: Sclerites long and slender, deep blood-red; they are responsible for the general colour of the colony. The flesh is translucent, yellowish or pale pink; anthocodia of the autozooids white. Axis white, often bent over at its ends like a shepherd's crook.
Habitat
In sandy or muddy substrata, usually in depths exceeding 10 m, probably extending into water deeper than 100 m.
Distribution
Frequent to common in the North Sea and around western Scotland; no records from southern Britain. This species is widespread in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean but its full range is uncertain due to probable confusion with other species.