What is "alcyonium"

Alcyonium \Al`cy*o"ni*um\, n. [Gr. ? a zo["o]phyte, so called from being like the halcyon's nest.] (Zo["o]l.) A genus of fleshy Alcyonaria, its polyps somewhat resembling flowers with eight fringed rays. The term was also formerly used for certain species of sponges.

n. (context zoology English) Any of the genus ''Alcyonium'' of fleshy Alcyonaria, their polyps somewhat resembling flowers with eight fringed rays.

Alcyonium is a genus of soft corals in the family Alcyoniidae.