Green anemone at low tide with small crab (middle left) and shell bits attached to its body, near McInnes Island, BC

At low tide these anemones pull in their tentacles and look like a blob on the rock. The sides of their bodies are covered with adhesive structures that attach bits of shell, rock and seaweed. When closed up at low tide the attached material causes the anemone to look like a bed of crushed shell. The bits of debris probably reflect light to keep the anemone cooler and reduce water loss at low tide, or the debris they collect could be dispersing wave action as the tide ebbs and flows each day.

For a photo of a pink anemone with its body completely covered with shell bits, and for a couple nice photos of large colourful groups of ochre stars see here: http://goo.gl/eQsMJ

Green anemone at low tide with small crab (middle left) and shell bits attached to its body, near McInnes Island, BC

At low tide these anemones pull in their tentacles and look like a blob on the rock. The sides of their bodies are covered with adhesive structures that attach bits of shell, rock and seaweed. When closed up at low tide the attached material causes the anemone to look like a bed of crushed shell. The bits of debris probably reflect light to keep the anemone cooler and reduce water loss at low tide, or the debris they collect could be dispersing wave action as the tide ebbs and flows each day.

For a photo of a pink anemone with its body completely covered with shell bits, and for a couple nice photos of large colourful groups of ochre stars see here: http://goo.gl/eQsMJ