Characters: Colonies are composed of gnarled branches that divide irregularly. They may form stands over 5 metres across. Corallites are large, composed of an interlocking network of rods and spines. Polyps are large with swollen tentacle tips.
Colour: Pale tan when polyps are retracted. Extended polyps are amber or yellowish with white oral discs, sometimes with white tentacle tips.
Similar Species: Alveopora gigas and A. allingi.
Habitat: Occurs only on soft substrates in deep water or in shallow turbid water protected from wave action and currents.
Abundance: Uncommon but conspicuous.
Taxonomic References: Wells (1968); Veron and Pichon (1982); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Veron (1986a); Nishihira and Veron (1995); Turak and DeVantier (2011b);
