Kingdom Animalia Phylum Cnidaria Rank Species Subclass Hexacorallia | Family Actiniidae Genus Pseudactinia Order Sea anemone | |
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Similar Sea anemone, Violet‑spotted anemone, Leminda millecra, Corynactis annulata | ||
The false plum anemone, Pseudactinia flagellifera, is a species of sea anemone in the family Actiniidae.
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Description
The false plum anemone is a large anemone of up to 20 cm in diameter. It has a smooth column that may be orange, yellow or red. The tips of its tentacles are often mauve. It has a protruding round mouth, and the oral surface may be striped. It has rows of small round protrusions (spherules) outside its tentacles.
Distribution
It is found around the southern African coast from Luderitz to Durban. It is also found around Madeira. It inhabits waters from the intertidal to 35m in depth.
Ecology
The false plum anemone cannot easily retract its tentacles.
It preys mostly on molluscs, and has been reported to have a serious sting which can affect humans. It is able to move about slowly and maintains territory by stinging genetically unrelated anemones with its spherules.