Characters: Colonies are commonly over one metre across and are hemispherical in shape. They are composed of straight radiating cylindrical branches which divide infrequently. Branches are usually compact. Verrucae are elongate and project outwardly or upwards.
Colour: Brown with pale tips.
Similar Species: Pocillopora capitata, which has irregular branches. See also P. eydouxi which has flattened awl-shaped branches.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Common.
Taxonomic References: Veron (2000a); Veron (2002a);
Identification Guides: Pillay, Terashima, Venkatasami et al. (2002);
