Black Sea Rod
Plexaura homomallaBlack Sea Rod is an Octocoral similar to the Bent Sea Rod but Black Sea Rod grows in a bushy pattern rather than the flat single plane. The distinctive color of the yellow polyps protruding from black branches makes this species easy to identify. When the polyps are retracted the polyp's aperture rims are more flat then raised, so it is not considered a Knobby Sea Rod. The species grows in shallow waters, (4 feet) to deep water. (200 feet). Do not confuse Black Sea Rod with Black Coral, which are deep water Antipatharia. (cousins to sea anemones)
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