Daisy Anemone

Overview

The Daisy Anemone (Cereus pedunculatus) is a distinctive sea anemone known for its trumpet-shaped column and wide, flower-like oral disc. It is a common inhabitant of coastal waters, frequently found partially buried in sediment or tucked into rocky crevices where it can retract for protection.

Distribution & habitat

This species is widely distributed throughout the northeast Atlantic Ocean, including the North Sea, the British Isles, and the Mediterranean Sea. It thrives in various coastal environments, ranging from intertidal rock pools and gullies to deeper sublittoral zones. It is often found attached to stones or buried in soft substrates like mud or sand, sometimes with only its crown of tentacles visible above the surface.

Appearance

The anemone features a long, often trumpet-shaped column that can reach up to 10–12 cm in height. The column is typically grey, brown, or purplish and is marked with small, pale, protuberant suckers that often hold bits of gravel or debris. Its wide oral disc, which can span up to 15 cm, is surrounded by 500 to 1,000 short, flaccid tentacles. These tentacles are highly variable in color, appearing plain, speckled, or banded in shades of buff, white, scarlet, or black.

Biology & behavior

Cereus pedunculatus is a versatile feeder, acting as an omnivore, predator, and scavenger. It contains stinging cells (nematocysts) within its tentacles to capture prey. In some environments, it lives in association with symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) that contribute to its coloration, though it may appear paler in low-light conditions. When disturbed or exposed to intense light, it can rapidly retract into a compact, tentacle-fringed mound.