Characters: Colonies are composed of thin, unifacial laminae usually forming upright whorls. These whorls may be over one metre high and may cover a large area. They fall over at the slightest touch. The coenosteum is rough with small papillae. Most corallites are embedded; others are tiny and often inclined irregularly on tuberculae.
Colour: Pale brown or greenish.
Similar Species: Montipora friabilis. See also M. foliosa, M. capricornis and M. delicatula.
Habitat: Shallow turbid environments.
Abundance: Common.
Taxonomic References: Nemenzo (1967); Veron (2000a);