Giant slit-pore sea rod
Plexaurella nutans
(Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860)

Description:
Colonies very tall with thick stalks and sparse, dichotomous branching; up to 1.3 m in height. End branches thick, 10-15 mm in diameter, and can be very long, up to 1 m. The ends of the branches are usually club-shaped. Apertures widely spaced and each is usually elevated on a small mound. The apertures are 2-2.5 mm in diameter and range from nearly circular to slit like in shape.

Color:
Pale gray to tan or light brown.

Habitat:
Inhabit patch and fore reefs in clear waters.

Distribution:
Common to occasional Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Anthozoa
Subclass Octocorallia
Order Gorgonacea
Genus Plexaurella
Species Plexaurella nutans

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Plexaurella nutans (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860)

Scientific synonyms and common names

Giant slit-pore sea rod [English]

Cairns, S., 1977. Guide to the Commoner Shallow-water Gorgonians (Sea Whips, Sea Feathers and Sea Fans) of Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Region. Sea Grant Field Guide Series, 6.

Humann, P., 1993. Reef Coral Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas, (ed. N. Deloach). New World Publications, Inc., Paramount Miller Graphics, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida.

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