[2][3] It is frequently found washed ashore on North East Florida beaches following northeasterly winds or rough surf conditions.

A cluster of tentacleless polyps form an outlet valve that releases water to deflate the colony.

The feeding polyps secrete a sticky mucus to trap tiny organisms suspended in the water.

The sea pansy is strikingly bioluminescent when disturbed because of the interplay between a luciferase (Renilla-luciferin 2-monooxygenase) and green fluorescent protein (GFP).

[4] It also produces secondary metabolites for chemical defence that may make it an interesting source of marine natural products.