Biodiversity & Conservation

Plumose anemone - Metridium senile - General information

Metridium senile

Image Robert Keen - Metridium senile in Scapa Flow, Orkneys.
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Distribution map

Metridium senile recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Why do the maps differ?

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Metridium senile is not listed under any importance categories.

General information

Key Icon Researched by: Dr Keith Hiscock and Emily Wilson Text page icon Refereed by: This information is not refereed.

Taxonomy icon Taxonomy

Phylum Cnidaria Sea anemones, corals, sea firs & jellyfish
Class Hexacorallia
Map icon Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland All British and Irish coasts.
Habitat information icon Habitat information Attached to any suitable hard substratum in overhangs, caves and beneath boulders on the lower shore, and on pier piles and rock faces to at least 100 m.
Text page icon Description Metridium senile is an anemone of very variable form. The base is wider than the column and often irregular. When expanded, the numerous tentacles form a 'plume' above a conspicuous parapet at the top of the smooth column. Large individuals may be 30 cm high. The colour is plain, commonly white orange or dark green but brown, grey or occasionally red or yellow varieties occur.

This review can be cited as follows:

Dr Keith Hiscock and Emily Wilson 2007. Metridium senile. Plumose anemone. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 19/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesfullreview.php?speciesID=3806>