Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California

Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz

Description: The tan to brown plumes are feather-like, each consists of a simple stalk with numerous, closely set lateral branches arising alternately on opposite sides. The polyps are small, and protected by exoskeletal cups (hydrothecae). Usually some branches bear enlarged areas called corbulae.
Size: Plumes 5-8cm high.
Notes: The corbulae retain the medusae, the male medusae release sperm which fertilze the eggs which are retained by the female medusae, the eggs develop into planula larvae which the female medusae release.