Characters: Colonies are irregular in shape and are composed of flattened branches which tend to sprawl over the substrate. The coenosteum is covered with fine granules.
Colour: Pink or brown.
Similar Species: Pocillopora eydouxi, which has a similar shape but branches are bigger and more splayed. These species are difficult to distinguish unless they occur together.
Habitat: Upper reef slopes exposed to strong wave action.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Taxonomic Note: Poorly differentiated from Pocillopora eydouxi.
Taxonomic References: Veron and Pichon (1976); Dai (1989); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Veron (1986a); Nishihira and Veron (1995); Turak and DeVantier (2011b);
