[4] The young fungus erupts from a suberumpent egg by forming into four to seven elongated slender arms initially erect and attached at the top.

[6] In a laboratory setting, C. archeri was found to grow best in 26 °C (79 °F) on a compost agar (CA) medium with a pH of 6.0.

Clathrus archeri is commonly found in environments with abundant decaying organic matter.

Saprophytes prefer areas with high moisture or water, access to oxygen, neutral pH, and low-medium temperatures.

The species is believed to be endemic to southern Africa, New Zealand and Australia, but has been spreading to other continents and is often invasive.

[11] Recent modeling studies in Poland expect the alien species to occur in areas with a thick layer of snow, which does not melt in winter, at higher altitudes, where the water deficit is low.

alba with white tentacles or arms has been reported from the Shola Forests in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India.

[7] Fungal mycelium exhibits calcium pooling which changes soil pH and availability of phosphorus for surrounding flora.