The strawberry anemone grows in colonies, somewhat like coral, but lacks a protective covering, or exoskeleton. It prefers shaded rocky areas but will also live on wharf pilings from San Diego to British Columbia. Strawberry anemones eat copepods and invertebrate larvae.

Strawberry anemones grow to one inch in diameter and have potent, club-tipped tentacles. This animal is a favorite in biology labs because the nematocysts (tiny organs that contain a stinger) are easily seen under magnification. These animals are harmless to humans despite the size of the nematocysts.

These animals reproduce by fission: The anemone splits itself into two identical copies. Clones of the same anemone have been found covering more than a square meter of sea floor.