Metridiidae

Family: Metridiidae

Group: Marine Invertebrate, Species

Scientific Name	Common Name	Summary
Metridium farcimen	Giant plumose anemone	This species is very similar to short plumose anemone (Metridium senile fimbriatum), so much that until recently they were considered to be conspecific. However, it has since been split on the basis of the fact it doesn't clone itself, and of the consistency of its tentacular lobes' being more numerous and complex. This species can grow to be quite large (up to a meter long), and while it can be observed in a variety of subtidal and extremely low intertidal contexts, it is most often seen on dock pilings during the very low tides of spring and summer.
Metridium senile fimbriatum	short plumose anemone	This anemone is mostly distinguished from the larger Giant plumose anemone (Metridium farcimen) by the lack of complex lobes on which the tentacles are arranged, the clonal distribution pattern, and its habitat in generally shallower, higher-energy areas. While M. farcimen is a typical sight on dock pilings, still slightly below the water at negative tides, Metride senile fimbriatum would be more likely to be seen in tidepools at tides not much below zero. This anemone ranges from pure white to brown, and is often orange. While Metridium farcimen can be three feet long, this species is just a few inches tall.