User:Jakeclayton.5/Leptogorgia virgulata

suborder Holaxonia

source 1

They have eight tentacles and are so classified as octocorallians, a characteristic of the suborder Holaxonia.

usually between 15 and 60 cm as an adult

corals can be white

the rows on older main branches have distinct grooves between them

it typically prefers high salinity environments

commonly found on the coastal shelfs of Southern states

Because of its unique capability to live on hard bottom substratum in South Carolina among its coastal regions and estuaries and of its abundance in those habitats, it can serve as an indicator species, epitomizing sessile fauna in coastal reefs that fall within the range of the colorful sea whip.

source 2

when the polyps are retracted the Calyces do not stick out

source 4

Preferred substrata for Leptogorgia virgulata are rock and limestone ledges