Characters: Colonies are encrusting, sometimes submassive. Small colonies have a conspicuous central corallite. Corallites are plocoid, becoming widely spaced and Echinophyllia-like (Pectiniidae) at colony edges. Septa have long pointed teeth. Colonies have fleshy tissue over the skeleton.
Colour: Dark brown, rust-red or green.
Similar Species: Acanthastrea echinata, which has similar but smaller corallites which are less widely spaced, without an Echinophyllia-like appearance towards the colony periphery.
Habitat: Protected reef environments.
Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Taxonomic References: Chevalier (1975); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Nishihira and Veron (1995); Turak and DeVantier (2011b);
