[3] In both sexes the carapace shows a broad whitish median band containing a brown triangle facing the back and ending with a sharp, black apical macula.

The dorsum (upper surface) of the opisthosoma has a dark leaf pattern with white edges and light transverse stripes on the right and left.

[7] Xysticus cristatus is an ambush hunter which spends much time sitting still, with its fore-legs spread wide, waiting for insects to blunder into them.

[3] In grass it adopts a flexible hunting position either at the tips of vegetation, such as flowerheads, or on the ground surface and as a result, the prey taken is varied and is made up of flying insects, including bees and butterflies.

[8] The species has a Palearctic distribution,[1][9] being found throughout Europe (including Iceland) to South Siberia, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan.