Sunset Cup Coral

< Back to the Lyme Bay album
Latin name – Leptopsammia pruvoti
Size – up to 3cm in diameter
Habitat – attached to shady rock faces below the low water mark

This slow growing solitary coral is highly vulnerable to disturbances. It is long-living but reproduces very infrequently and is extremely rare. Sunset coral has only been found in four locations around the South-West coast of Britain. It is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan which aims to maintain the current population of this coral.

Image 1 of 4

The Sunset Cup Coral has a beautiful bright yellow or orange colour. It has only been found in a handful of locations around the South West coast of Britain, and Lyme Bay is one of these rare locations. Photo by Alberto Barisani.

< Back to the Lyme Bay album