Ugh. Doesn't sound harmless (but there is not enough information here to say for sure). Wash the soil (and them) off or return to place of purchase. Don't worry about exposing the roots, just keep them moist. Here is a link that might be useful: The Myth of Fragile Roots

Many Sea Anemones live this way, and hold water within their bodies, squirting it out when squished. They often live intertidally, and "flower" when the tide comes in. One of the best places to find food for organisms that are fixed to the bottom happens to be rocks and other things in the zone between high and low tides. I would doubt that it is a Tunicate , or Sea Squirt, as they have two siphons, and this thing has only one pore. I have seen many of these on the Georgia coast.

Blonde elk are unusual but do exist. They have ruffs around the neck. Albino moose are getting more common in the northern states. Adolescent moose have disporportionately long front legs until they grow into them.

Cutworms, eh? Just read about them and they don't sound nice nor easy to control. Will go down to the tables this evening and take a look. Thanks.