[1] Colonies of Turbinaria radicalis are encrusting and spread over rocks or have rootlets growing down into the substrate.

The surface of the coral is smooth, and the corallites may be sunken or raised on shallow cones.

[2] It obtains most of its nutritional needs from the symbiotic dinoflagellates that live inside its soft tissues.

Its remaining needs are met by the planktonic organisms caught by the tentacles of the polyps.

The main threats faced by this and other corals are related to climate change and the mechanical destruction of their coral reef habitats; increasing damage from extreme weather events, rising sea water temperatures and ocean acidification.