Characters: Colonies may be over one metre across and are composed of irregular, mostly prostrate branches that tend to form a three dimensional tangle. Verrucae are widely spaced and irregular in size, although they remain distinct from branches.
Colour: Usually cream, brown or pink.
Similar Species: Pocillopora verrucosa, which has more compact branches and less irregular verrucae. See also P. damicornis.
Habitat: Partly protected reef slopes.
Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Taxonomic Note: A poorly known species that requires further study, Pocillopora danae was made a junior synonym of P. verrucosa by Schmidt-Roach, Miller, Lundgren et al. (2014). It bears close similarity with P. bairdi.
Taxonomic References: Veron (2000a); Schmidt-Roach, Miller, Lundgren et al. (2014);
Identification Guides: Turak and DeVantier (2011b);
