Its name derives from the distinctive cross pattern on its clear bell.

It is found in the cold, shallow waters of both hemispheres.

The medusa of the white cross jellyfish is clear ranging from 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2.0 in) thick and 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) wide.

[1] Visually it is very similar to Mitrocoma cellularia, but they tend to only grow up to 10 cm (3.9 in) in diameter.

[3] The ecological niche is also present in the southern hemisphere around Antarctica, and spreading to southern South America,[4] and has been sighted in the Falklands[5] and Chile.