Beachcombers Field Guide - Department Of Fisheries Western ...

Sea tulip
Chordata – Ascidiacea
Sea tulips are named
for their long stalks and rounded
heads. Although considered a solitary
(single) ascidian, a cluster of them can
look like a bunch of tulips (fl owers)
attached to rocky reef or seagrass.
Filtering the water for food and nutrients,
these animals play an important role
in our marine environment, removing
particles as small as
bacteria.
Photo: Clay Bryce
Did you know?
Ascidians have free-swimming
larvae, which help them to
disperse throughout the ocean.
However, they do not feed during
this time and must fi nd a place
to settle within a few hours, or
they die.