Characters: Colonies are encrusting or tiered plates, sometimes over 2 metres across. Plates usually have free edges. Corallites are small and irregular in height. Papillae are concentrated around the corallites.
Colour: Tan. Polyps are usually purple.
Similar Species: Montipora verrilli, which is primarily encrusting and has larger, less exsert corallites. See also M. effusa.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Sometimes common.
Taxonomic Note: Genetic sampling and analysis of Montipora patula populations in Hawaii suggests that this species is genetically indistinguishable from Montipora verrilli in this location (Forsman, Concepcion, Haverkort et al. (2010). However, they appear to be distinct elsewhere and the two species are retained here until there is further clarity.
Taxonomic References: Vaughan (1907a); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Maragos (1977); Fenner (2005);
