Characters: Colonies are clumps of anastomosing contorted branches. Large colonies may develop basal laminae. Corallites are widely spaced and conspicuously excavated. The coenosteum is fine.
Colour: Pale brown or grey.
Similar Species: Although corallite characters are distinctive, large excavated corallites are like Porites profundus in situ. Porites rugosa. See also P. nigrescens, which has less excavated corallites. Resembles the acroporid Montipora porites underwater.
Habitat: Shallow protected reef environments where diversity is high.
Abundance: Uncommon.
Taxonomic References: Veron (1990a); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Nishihira and Veron (1995); Turak and DeVantier (2011b);
