title: Valdivian soft coral
text: # Valdivian soft coral
  
  The Valdivian soft coral (Parasphaerasclera valdiviae) is a species of colonial leathery or soft coral in the family Alcyoniidae.
  
  ## Description
  
  Valdivian soft corals grow in small colonies of between 1 and 11 cm in height and up to 10 cm in diameter. The colony has stubby branches extending from a conspicuous short thick trunk. The polyps are white, but the colony colour is variable from white to pink to orange or even red. Some colonies may be bi-coloured.
  
  ## Distribution
  
  This species is known from the Cape Peninsula to northern KwaZulu-Natal off the South African coast, and is common in 14-18m of water, although it is found down to at least 30m. It is endemic to this area.
  
  ## Ecology
  
  Research at Rhodes University has shown that chemicals in this soft coral may have anti-inflammatory properties.
  
  