Orange-striped Anemone

Diadumene lineata · Also known as: striped anemone, Haliplanella lineata

Small striped sea anemone of docks, jetties, and oyster shell. Tiny tentacle crowns on Mid-Atlantic hard structure.

Orange-striped Anemone (Diadumene lineata) — Ocean City, Maryland
Photo via Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons — Diadumene lineata

Quick facts

GroupAnemone
Likelihood nearby★★★☆☆
Habitats Inlet, Coastal bays, Offshore / ocean
Seasons (this coast)year-round

How to recognize them

  • Column with orange or white longitudinal stripes; crown of slender tentacles when open.
  • Often only a centimeter or two tall; closes into a blob when disturbed.

Biology notes

  • Widely introduced temperate anemone that tolerates docks and polluted harbors.
  • Captures tiny prey with stinging tentacles (mild to humans).

Where to see them around Ocean City

  • Ocean City Inlet and harbor pilings at low tide.
  • Oyster shell and rock crevices in the coastal bays.

When to look

  • Year-round; best on calm low tides with a close look.

Viewing tips & etiquette

  • Bring a magnifying look—or phone macro—to appreciate the stripes.

Sources & further reading