Lettered Olive

Americoliva sayana

Markings and exact colorations may vary.

A slender, highly glossy cylinder covered in fine zigzag markings.

Typical size
2 to 3 inches
How often it turns up
Common
Collecting
Usually legal to collect

Empty shells only.

Handling
Safe to handle

No hazard.

How to tell it apart

  • High gloss, almost polished, even when fresh
  • Narrow cylinder with a very short spire
  • Fine brown zigzag lines

Where to find these in Florida

Beaches rated very good or excellent for shells. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.

Found one?

Photograph it and BeachNut ranks the likely matches with a confidence read, then logs it to your collection with the beach and date.

Browsing beaches and the full field guide is free. A free account logs unlimited finds and gives you three photo identifications a day.

Commonly confused with

  • Alphabet ConeConus spurius

    Cones have a flat stepped top and a wide shoulder. Olives are narrow cylinders with a very short spire and a high gloss.

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