Characters: Colonies have thin (up to 5 mm diameter), straight compact branches. Corallites are crowded and uniformly spaced on branch sides and ends. They have a slight development of hoods towards branch ends. They have small style-like columellae and six primary septa which are fused with the columellae. The coenosteum is covered by fine spinules. Tentacles are not extended during the day.
Colour: Uniform tan, sometimes with pinkish branch bases.
Similar Species: Stylophora subseriata, which does not have closely compact branches and has less crowded corallites. See also S. pistillata, which has thicker, less compact branches.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments exposed to some wave action and sheltered lagoons.
Abundance: Locally common.
Taxonomic References: Veron (2000a); Veron (2002a);