Characters: Colonies may be over one metre across and consist of compacted, vertical, bifacial laminae up to 0.6 metres high together with horizontal basal laminae. Some colonies consist only of vertical laminae or (rarely) only of horizontal laminae. Corallites are widely spaced, flush with the surface and are distributed irregularly. Septo-costae are prominent and parallel from the base to the margins of fronds. Columellae are a loose aggregation of spines.

Colour: Always yellowish-cream with dark basal parts and pale peripheral parts.

Similar Species: Pectinia lactuca, which has less tendency to form upright fronds and P. ayleni, which has primarily horizontal laminae.

Habitat: Shallow reef environments protected from wave action and where the water is slightly turbid.

Abundance: Usually uncommon, distinctive.