Characters: Colonies are clumps of irregularly contorted or flattened branches which may fuse. Corallites usually have a prominent lower lip and are deep and conspicuous. There is no development of papillae or other ornamentation.
Colour: Pale brown.
Similar Species: Montipora kellyi, which has branches which do not fuse and corallites which do not have a prominent lower lip.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Sometimes locally common.
Taxonomic Note: Sometimes difficult to distinguish from non co-occurring species with similar growth form.
Taxonomic References: Scheer and Pillai (1983); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Sheppard and Sheppard (1991); Pillay, Terashima, Venkatasami et al. (2002); Pichon, Benzoni, Chaineau et al. (2010);
