Purple (Smooth) Sunstar (Solaster endeca)
Purple (Smooth) Sunstar (Solaster endeca)
Common name: purple smooth sun star
Scientific name: Solaster endeca
Locations: shallow waters of the coast, attached to rocks, in cracks and crevices
Seasonality: available all year
Color: purple
Size: 4” - 10”
Collected: by hand
Quantity: sold by the each
Tidepool Tim says, “Solaster endeca is a predator, even feeding on other sea stars! Many grow to be 16 inches in diameter, while an 8 inch diameter is average. Not only is this star remarkably large, it has 9 - 13 arms (each with an eye!) around a heavy disc.”