Characters: Colonies may be large (over 4 metres across) and form dense thickets of frequently dividing branches. Branches are 7-9 millimetres thick and slightly tapered. Axial corallites are prominent. Radial corallites are rounded, tubular and appressed except towards branch tips, and are arranged in rows.
Colour: Grey-brown, usually with pale yellow corallite tips.
Similar Species: Acropora hemprichii, which has larger radial corallites and does not form colonies with such compact branches. See also A. austera, A. verweyi and A. tumida.
Habitat: Mid reef slopes exposed to strong currents.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Taxonomic Note: A cryptic species. Placed in synonymy with Acropora austera by Wallace, Done and Muir (2012). These species have been differentiated in field and skeletal studies.
Taxonomic References: Veron (2000a); Veron (2002a);
