Characters: Colonies are phaceloid, composed of long tubular corallites which bifurcate at irregular intervals, and which face upward. Corallites are round, 10-14 millimetres diameter, and have well developed septa arranged according to Pourtalès plan. Columellae are broad and deep seated. Walls are composed of porous coenosteum. Tentacles are extended day and night and may form a continuous mat concealing the shape of the underlying colony.
Colour: Green or blue-grey.
Similar Species: Tubastrea species have similar corallites, but are azooxanthellate. Corallites are similar to Turbinaria peltata except that septa follow Pourtalès plan.
Habitat: Usually occurs in water over 20 metres deep, attached to a solid substrate but in areas where soft sand predominates.
Abundance: Rare but conspicuous.
Taxonomic Note: Very distinct species. Structural detail is similar to Turbinaria peltata except for the fusion pattern of septa.
Taxonomic References: Veron and Pichon (1980); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Veron (1986a); Nishihira and Veron (1995);
