Family: Plexauridae
Common Name(s): Tube-knob candelabrum
Colony Form: Candelabrum with few branches chiefly in one plane; to 30 cm tall; similar to E. mammosa. Long and scares branching.
Axis: Cylindrical in cross-section.
Branches: Long, thin, chiefly arising from near base; 2 mm across. Fewer branches than other Eunicea species.
Apertures: calices elongate, tubular or conical, longer than branch diameter, to 10 mm long, with slightly upturned lower lip, but no conspicuous sharp upper lip.
Mucus: Absent
Color: Whitish to tan or brown, sometimes blue. Dries mainly beige to pale ochre.
Sclerites: Polyp armature: flattened rods. Axial layer: acute spindles, or short spindles with prominent ornamentation; variable in size and form. Middle layer: large acute spindles to 1.5 mm long. Surface layer: torch-like clubs.
Habitat: Semi-exposed reefs, sandy bottoms and walls; possibly on deeper reef slopes of oceanic reefs in 14-40 m.
Distribution: Uncommon; Bahamas and southern Caribbean; reported as abundant on leeward reefs and slopes of San Salvador and Abaco, Bahamas (Sánchez, personal observation). Not yet reported from Florida.
Notes: Distinguishable from E. mammosa by longer, more widely spaced tube-like calices. The two species often co-occur.
Similar Species: Eunicea mammosa; Eunicea succinea
