Plant or Animal?

Bennett’s feather star (Oxycomanthus bennetti) is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific region. With the cluster of feather or fern like arms on a long stem, a crinoid looks like a flower, but it is not a plant. It is an echinoderm, related to brittle stars and sea urchins. The name “crinoid” derives from Greek word krinon, "a lily", and eidos, "form”. The feathery arms are used to trap detritus and plankton in the water.

GO BACK TO All Blogs