Description: This sea anemone has an adherent base; the column is taller than wide, divided into scapus and scapulus. The scapus is covered with tough horn-like cuticle which itself is often encrusted with algae, debris, bryozoans or tube-worms; beneath the cuticle the scapus bears dark, conical solid tubercles, varying in size. The tentacles are moderate in length, irregularly arranged. The disc has a dusky pattern, the tentacles are vaguely banded. Disc and tentacles are orange, red, brown, or grey - usually variegated. Size up to 50mm tall, 30mm across tentacles.

Habitat: Typically occurs on rocks in the kelp zone in very exposed situations, usually on vertical surfaces, from lower shore to 30m.

Distribution: Known in the British Isles from northeast Scotland to western Ireland. Elsewhere from Norway and Iceland. Please notify any new records.

Similar Species: Acontia are present but are not extruded through the column wall, but sometimes through the mouth. Reproduces by basal lacerations. Several Hormathiids - Cataphellia brodricii, Hormathia coronata - possess tubercles and cuticle but in these the tentacles are arranged in multiples of six and pattern on disc and tentacles is different - compare photos. Phellia is very different from other Sagartiidae.

Key Identification Features:

• Column with tough cuticle, often incrusted with other organisms.
• Irregularly arranged tentacles.

Distribution Map from NBN: Phellia gausapata at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Phellia gausapata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Phellia gausapata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Phellia gausapata Gosse, 1858. AphiaID: 100989.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Cnidaria; Anthozoa; Hexacorallia; Actiniaria; Enthemonae; Metridioidea; Phelliidae; Phellia