Characters: Colonies are bushy with short compacted branches that curve downwards. Verrucae are primarily on the upper surfaces of branches.
Colour: Pale brown.
Similar Species: Pocillopora effusus, which has a similar growth-form but forms much larger colonies with more compact branches and which occurs primarily in shallow wave washed habitats.
Habitat: Occurs only in deep water.
Abundance: Rare.
Taxonomic Note: A little-known but distinctive species.
Taxonomic References: Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Maragos (1977); Fenner (2005);