Characters: Colonies are caespitose or corymbose, composed of branches which interlock in three dimensions. Branches are thin, with most of their width occupied by corallites. Axial corallites are tubular. Radial corallites are tubular and appressed, becoming nariform and conspicuous towards the tips of branches giving colonies a spiky appearance.
Colour: Mostly pale brown, cream or white, with purple, pink, blue or cream branch tips.
Similar Species: Acropora plantaginea which has much larger branches. See also A. nasuta, which has nariform radial corallites but is corymbose, and A. kimbeensis, which has much smaller corallites and finer branches.
Habitat: Upper reef slopes.
Abundance: Common.
Taxonomic Note: A species complex.
Taxonomic References: Wallace (1978); Veron and Wallace (1984); Wallace (1999); Veron (2000a); Wallace, Done and Muir (2012);
Identification Guides: Veron (1986a); Nishihira and Veron (1995); Turak and DeVantier (2011b);
