Jewel anemone (Corynactis viridis)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Cnidaria · Class: Hexacorallia · Order: Corallimorpharia · Family: Corallimorphidae · Genus: Corynactis.

Accepted name: Corynactis viridis · Authority: Allman, 1846 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 101016.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Corynactis allmani Thompson, 1847; Corynactis allmanni; Corynactis allmannii; Corynactis mediterranea Sars M., 1857; Corynactis viridis var. chrysochlorina Gosse; Corynactis viridis var. hyalocera Fischer; Corynactis viridis var. smaragdina Gosse; Corynactis viridis var. tephrina Gosse.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=101016 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Corynactis viridis. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Habitat zone: sessile.

SeaLifeBase notes: Known from infra- and circalittoral zones (Ref. 85338).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 44825) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Corynactis-viridis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

12,518 georeferenced occurrence records for Corynactis viridis are published through GBIF from 19 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 108 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 71 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (7,508); Ireland (2,174); France (1,737); Portugal (383); Guernsey (214).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2260700) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2260700&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=101016 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The column of this species is smooth and roughly cylindrical, being slightly wider at the base and oral disc than in the centre. The base can grow to a diameter of about 10 mm and is often ragged in outline; this is because the animal divides by longitudinal fission, and sometimes the two new individuals remain partially united. The individuals are usually found in dense aggregations, but each animal is only lightly attached to the substrate and can drift away. The tentacles are short to medium length, with tapering shafts and knobbed tips, and are in two whorls; the outer tentacles are the longer and the inner ones more numerous. The colour of this anemone is very variable; the column, tentacles and knobbed tips may be contrasting hues of white, pink, orange, red and green, while the oral disc is usually translucent, either plain or splashed with white. One common form is emerald green with brown tentacles with crimson tips, often with the oral disc having a crimson marginal ring.

Corynactis viridis occurs in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Its range includes Scotland, Ireland, the western and southern coasts of England and Wales, southwestern continental Europe and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Its depth range extends from the lower shore to the sublittoral zone, to depths of about 80 m. It is found in dimly lit locations on rock, particularly vertical rock faces, overhangs and caves, and often forms dense patches.

In addition to ordinary sexual reproduction, Corynactis viridis reproduces by means of longitudinal fission; in this process two sides of the anemone draw apart from each other, tearing the animal in half, after which both of the fragments heal and become new individuals. This could make the new individuals hard to change.

Source: Wikipedia: Corynactis viridis — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corynactis_viridis (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

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