Are Corals Plants or Animals? Unveiling the True Identity of Corals

Corals are animals. Many people mistakenly think corals are plants because they live in the sea, but in fact corals belong to the phylum Coelenterata, class Anthozoa.

Types of Coral

1. Red Coral

Prices are generally higher than varieties such as golden coral and black coral; a collector-grade piece can easily cost over ten thousand yuan per gram, so it is also called precious coral. It generally ranges from light red to orange-red, with a small amount appearing flesh-red. It is mainly distributed in the Pacific Ocean, with famous sources including Algeria, Tunisia, Spain, Taiwan, China, Italy and France.

2. White Coral

White coral, which has a porcelain texture, is also very precious and rare. It is mainly distributed in the South China Sea (the most precious, and already on the verge of extinction), the Philippine Sea, the Penghu Sea and the Ryukyu Islands. As the color goes from grayish white and milky white to porcelain white, the price continues to rise.

3. Blue Coral

Besides the concentric circular structure common to red and white coral, it also has distinctive dot-like patterns. It is widely distributed from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific region, and its large numbers make it easy to collect. However, with global climate change and water pollution, coral reefs around the world are in fact continuously degrading and disappearing.

4. Golden Coral

Because its shape resembles willow branches, golden coral is also called golden sea willow. It is a gem coral variety growing in the Pacific Ocean and belongs to the keratinous type of coral, and can appear golden yellow or brownish yellow, with a unique papular texture and parallel longitudinal lines.