They are found in the low intertidal to the sub-intertidal zone from Alaska to Panama. They are found in either sand or gravel filled pools on rocky shores. They have an emerald green oral disk which is broad and flat, and can reach up to fifteen centimeters in diameter. Their columns are either olive or brown. They have warts on the upper third section of their column.
Tentacles shoot out threads which engage their prey.
Evidence is present that suggests suction occurs during this process. They eat mussels, crabs, sea urchins, and small fish. The reason they are green is because they contain algae in their tissues. These algae are called zoochlorellae, and zooxanthellae. Although A. xanthogrammica are carnivorous, but there is evidence that the algae have organic compounds which provides this anemone with nutrition.