Colorful sea whip
Leptogorgia virgulata
(Lamarck, 1815)
Description:
Colonies form long, straight, stiff, moderately branched, whip-like stalks. Colonies can reach a length of 45 cm. Polyps in multiple rows along two sides. Calyces do not protrude when the polyps are retracted.
Color:
Stalks highly variable in color, including shades of lavender, violet, purple, red, orange and yellow. Polyps translucent white.
Habitat:
Inhabit most environments, especially in areas with hard substrate and some sand, down to 40 m.
Distribution:
Common Florida, rare Caribbean.