Giant Green Anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)

Mainly found in low to mid intertidal zones of the Pacific Ocean, they can get quite large. Up to about 30 cm (11") tall and 17 cm (6.5") wide and will have varying depths of green depending on how much sunlight they get. Looking somewhat like a plant or flower, they are actually carnivorous animals feeding on sea urchins, small fish, crabs and loose mussels. Equipped with stinging tentacles to paralyze their prey and digestive enzymes so strong they can digest the flesh of a small animal in 15 minutes, then excrete the waste back through the mouth opening. Those that are left out of water when the tide recedes will force the water out of their body cavity, pull in their tentacles and fold inward for protection until the return of the tide.

Used in research, they have proven very useful to the medical community, contributing to the development of heart medications. A compound from this anemone is now used as a vertebrate heart stimulant.