Photo by Kathy DeWet-Oleson

Though the name aggregating implies "many together", this anemone can be found in groups or alone. This anemone is often a favorite animal of tidepool explorers, as it is attractive, and reacts to touch. When open, these 2-3 inch blue-green anemones look somewhat like a flower, yet when contracted they are almost unoticable. This species reproduces asexually by fission. The green coloration is due to the presence of pigment and a symbiotic algae that lives in the tissue of the anemone.

Aggregating Anemone
(Anthopleura elegantissima)

	Alaska to Baja Califronia
	Rocky intertidal to shallow subtidal
	Primarily a wide variety of small crutaceans
The status of this species is representative of the populations within the waters of this Sanctuary only, not global populations.
	These anemones collect small bits of shells and sand on their column that can act like a sunscreen and help protect them from desiccation (drying).
	- UCLA Ocean Discovery Center