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sea anemone (sê e-nèm´e-nê) noun
Any of numerous flowerlike marine coelenterates of the class Anthozoa, having a flexible cylindrical body and tentacles surrounding a central mouth.

Sea Anemone

Sea Anemone, common name for marine, flowerlike polyp having a vaselike body. Large specimens can attain a diameter of 1 m (3 ft). The body is closed and attached to rocks or coral at one end and, at the other end, has a central mouth surrounded by tentacles armed with nematocysts (stinging cells) that paralyze and entangle small fish and marine animals. Most sea anemones reproduce sexually; budding and fission are comparatively rare. The young are discharged from the mouth as free-swimming larvae, which soon attach themselves to surfaces.
Scientific classification: Sea anemones make up the order Actiniaria of the class Anthozoa.

sea anemone (noun)

marine life: sea urchin, sea horse, sea anemone, coral, coral reef, jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war, starfish, brittle star

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