Characters: Colonies are submassive or form short columns which may branch. These have a smooth surface.

Colour: Pale brown.

Similar Species: Porites nodifera, which has a similar growth-form, but corallite characters are distinct. Corallites of P. columnaris are similar to those of P. lutea and P. evermanni. Calice characters are closest to P. pukoensis.

Habitat: Shallow reef environments.

Abundance: Uncommon.