Characters: Colonies have encrusting bases, but are arborescent when fully developed. Verrucae are irregularly spaced and are usually fused towards branch tips or plate margins.
Colour: Usually pale brown with white verrucae.
Similar Species: Skeletal detail is similar to that of Montipora verrucosa, which does not form primarily branched colonies, also verrucae tend to be smaller and more pointed. See also M. setosa.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments and soft substrates.
Abundance: Common in Hawaii, uncommon elsewhere.
Taxonomic Note: Shows wide geographic variation.
Taxonomic References: Veron and Hodgson (1989); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Nishihira and Veron (1995); Fenner (2005);
