[3] The species is found from the Red Sea and East Africa to northern Australia and French Polynesia.

[5] Similar to other reef-building corals, M. platyphylla constitutes colonies and possesses stinging cells called nematocysts.

The presence of these stinging cells is what gives these fire corals their name, as contact with them leads to a burning sensation in humans.

[7][13][9] For a period of time, it was presumed that the species no longer existed in the Eastern Pacific due to bleaching events.

[3] Millepora platyphylla obtains energy from a combination of zooplankton predation and symbiosis with photosynthetic zooxanthellae.

Zooxanthellae live within the coral tissue, providing it with nutrients via photosynthesis and in turn receiving adequate shelter and better access to sunlight.

[3] While adults are sessile, planula larvae have the ability to swim or crawl before settling on substrate and undergoing metamorphoses.

[18] Fragments of existing colonies can disperse in turbulent waters, colonizing nearby reef areas.