It is native to shallow water habitats in the western Atlantic Ocean from Prince Edward Island southwards to Florida and Mexico, and possibly Brazil.

It forms bushy masses up to 20 cm (8 in) tall of orange or red branches up to 6 mm (0.24 in) thick.

It is found on the western side of the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island southwards to Florida, Mexico and Brazil.

[3] It grows on the underside of rocks and boulders in the intertidal and subtidal zones, on docks and quays, and in oyster beds.

[4] Larvae are released in the summer and autumn, at first they rise to the surface but after a day or so they sink to the bottom and crawl across the substrate until they find suitable locations for settlement.