Muricea laxa is a loosely branching gorgonian coral (family Plexauridae) found on shallow Caribbean reef environments, its specific epithet ('laxa' meaning loose or open) reflecting its less densely branched colony architecture compared to other Muricea species. Its colonies inhabit reef crests and upper slopes contributing to the structural diversity of Caribbean gorgonian communities. Like other Caribbean plexaurids, it produces terpenoid compounds with documented bioactive properties. Genomic data have been generated for this species and are available in public databases, enabling comparative studies of cnidarian evolution and ecology.