Physical Description

A general characteristic of the Porites genus is a massive growthform, but small corallites, generally from 0.5-1.5mm in diameter) (Kelley, 2012).  These corallites each have a distinct wall.This species is a colonial organism that generally grows to a maximum of 15cm (AIMS, 2011).  It can be brown, cream or grey and typically has an even surface, unlike species such as P. echinulata or P. paliformis (AIMS 2011).  Polyps are the individual corals that all join up to make one colony and are radially symmetrical (Ruppert et al, 2004).  Each polyp has a calcium carbonate exoskeleton (Ruppert et al, 2004).

It is very difficult to identify this coral to the species level without observing individual corallites through a microscope, although the Russell Kelley book is very helpful in identifying to genus level at the least.  The Australian Institute of Marine Science also has an online database of all coral species found in Australia that can be helpful in identifying your coral species.