[3] It is abundant on low-energy rocky reefs within the intertidal zone, where it outcompetes other algal species due to its high tolerance to desiccation.

[4] The spheres are buoyant and rise to the surface of the water during high tide, allowing plants to move with the flow of the current and obtain more sunlight.

Hormosira is regarded as an ecosystem engineer[6] or habitat former[7] that occurs in large patches and outcompetes other algal species due to its high tolerance to desiccation.

[8] Young crustaceans and molluscs often rely on the dense canopies of Hormosira for niche space, protection from predators, and avoid desiccation at low tide.

[8] Hormosira provides a substrate for sessile organisms to attach onto, including sea urchins and a wide range of facultative and obligate algal epiphytes such as Notheia anomala.