It is native to the coasts of southeastern Australia where it is found on reefs, in estuaries and bays at depths down to about 110 metres (360 ft).

The aboral (lower) surface of the crinoid has a number of hooked appendages called cirri which grip onto the substrate, which may be a rock, a sponge, a coral or sea fan.

The colour of this crinoid is usually some shade of red,[2][3] though subjection to organic solvents yields a complex mixture of pigments whose components can be separated using chromatography.

[4] The passion flower feather star is native to the coasts of southeastern Australia down to depths of about 110 metres (360 ft).

Its range extends from Masthead Island in Queensland and the mouth of the Clarence River in New South Wales to Port Philip Bay in Victoria.