anemone

Everyday

1. An anemone is a garden or wild flower with bright petals, often red, purple, pink or white, and a dark centre. tree →
2. A sea anemone is a soft sea animal that looks like a flower; it sticks to rocks and catches food with stinging tentacles. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons sea anemones come up in rock pools and coral reefs: clownfish live safely among their tentacles in a partnership where both help each other. On beach trips pupils find anemones in rock pools; they pull their tentacles in and look like blobs of jelly when the tide is out. In gardens, anemones are spring and autumn flowers. The name comes from Greek for «daughter of the wind».

Examples

• The clownfish hid among the anemone's tentacles. tree →
• We found red sea anemones in the rock pool. tree →
• A sea anemone is an animal, not a plant. tree →
• When the tide went out, the anemones looked like blobs of jelly. tree →
• Gran planted purple anemones in her garden. tree →
• Sea anemones sting small fish to catch them. tree →
• The anemone closed up when I touched it gently. tree →
• Primroses and anemones sprung forth, and violets bloomed in the shade, while every blade of grass was full of strength and sap. tree →

Note

Plural «anemones»; «an anemone». Say «uh-NEM-uh-nee» — it is a tricky word to say and spell. Trap: a sea anemone looks like a flower but is an animal, related to jellyfish and corals. Do not confuse with «enemy».