Characters: Colonies are branching, sometimes with an encrusting base. Concave calices give the surface a pitted appearance. Tentacles are frequently extended during the day.
Colour: Brown or cream.
Similar Species: Porites cylindrica, which is usually found in the same habitat where it has less excavated corallites and thicker branches. See also P. negrosensis and P. rugosa.
Habitat: Common on lower reef slopes and lagoons protected from wave action.
Abundance: Sometimes common.
Taxonomic References: Veron and Pichon (1982);
Identification Guides: Veron (1986a); Nishihira and Veron (1995); Pillay, Terashima, Venkatasami et al. (2002); Turak and DeVantier (2011b);