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January 27, 2021: Sea Lily

Sea lilies and feather stars, properly called crinoids (which means lily-like), are some of the strangest creatures that scientists encounter in the deep ocean. Although they appear plant-like in many respects, they in fact are animals, complete with a digestive system and a nervous system. Their closest relatives are the sea stars, sea urchins, brittle stars, and sea cucumbers. This large stalked crinoid, or sea lily (either Metacrinus or Saracrinus), flexes its feathery arms back into the current. It can release the grasp of its hooks along its stalk, lie down, and crawl with its arms.

Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2017 American Samoa. Download larger version (jpg, 1.6 MB).

Sea lilies and feather stars, properly called crinoids (which means lily-like), are some of the strangest creatures that scientists encounter in the deep ocean. Although they appear plant-like in many respects, they in fact are animals, complete with a digestive system and a nervous system. Their closest relatives are the sea stars, sea urchins, brittle stars, and sea cucumbers. This large stalked crinoid, or sea lily (either Metacrinus or Saracrinus), flexes its feathery arms back into the current. It can release the grasp of its hooks along its stalk, lie down, and crawl with its arms.

From: Crinoids!.