Description

 Base up to 25 mm in diameter and broader than column. Column narrow and cylindrical, up to 50 mm tall, and covered with small wart-like protuberances (verrucae). Up to 48 tentacles present, in cycles of 6, reaching up to 15 mm in length. Column grey or pink. Verrucae mostly grey but 6 principal rows are usually white. Tentacles transparent and mottled green, grey or pink in colour.Aulactinia verrucosa closes tightly when disturbed assuming a hemispherical shape resembling the denuded test of Echinus. It is similar to Anthopleura rubripunctata, which is often larger (up to 70 mm tall) and is covered with verrucae that are often red.