It is similar in appearance to the common brooding anemone (Epiactis prolifera), and like it is native to shallow waters on the western coast of North America.

E. lisbethae is similar to the more common brooding anemone (Epiactis prolifera) but typically is larger, with a column diameter greater than 50 mm (2 in).

This anemone is dull red, greenish, brown or orange in colour, the oral disc having fine white radial lines extending from the tentacles to the mouth.

Its range extends from Bamfield on Vancouver Island, Canada, southwards to Coos Bay in southern Oregon and to northern California, United States.

They later are expelled from the mouth and move down the column, where they adhere in a broad belt halfway down; here the larvae are brooded for several months.