Characters: Colonies are usually encrusting but may be hemispherical. Flattened, contorted branches usually occur near the centre of laminae and cover the surface of large colonies. Corallites are immersed. Papillae, grading into tuberculae, are most prominent on laminae; on branches they may be fused into short ridges. The coenosteum is coarse.
Colour: Grey or pale brown.
Similar Species: Montipora setosa, which has finer branches, smaller corallites and more development of verrucae. See also M. spongiosa.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Taxonomic Note: An undescribed species of Porites has a very similar growth form.
Taxonomic References: Veron (2000a); Veron (2002a);
