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Saturday, 31 March 2012

Pink Parasol Coral

Image: NOAA
Oh. My... I think I'm in love!

This is one of the most gloriously absurd things I've ever seen! It's Metallogorgia melanotrichos, a deep sea Gorgonian coral that puts all its pretty polyps at the end of a long stalk. They reach about 1 metre (3.3 feet) in total height.

They are found at depths between 270 and 1,800 metres (885 - 5,900 ft) in various parts of the Atlantic and Pacific. They've been found on knolls and seamounts, which are underwater hills and mountains. I guess they're taking advantage of the currents as water rushes up the inclines taking coral food along with it.

I think it's fabulous! We now have a weird pink palm tree to go with our weird pink trees, mushrooms and cacti. I knew it was weird down there but I had no idea it was so floral!

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6 comments:

  1. Anonymous31 March 2012 at 14:46

    Ooh...I want to see a whole bunch of these together...a little forest of freakish pink trees!

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  2. TexWisGirl31 March 2012 at 15:35

    yup, totally lovin' the pink palm tree. :)

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  3. Emily31 March 2012 at 17:03

    It's like something straight out of Doctor Seuss.

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  4. Joseph JG31 March 2012 at 18:51

    @shewalkssoftly.com: Yes! Ripe for frolicking!

    @TexWisGirl: It pleases my heart to know such a thing exists!

    @Emily: Yeh, totally surreal and wonderful. Perfect combination!

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  5. Unknown4 May 2012 at 09:26

    You have a cute pink collection of pink trees! That Gorgonian coral is absolutely beautiful and I’m in love with it too.

    long island tree care

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  6. Joseph JG4 May 2012 at 13:13

    Glad to hear it!

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