Characters: Colonies are submassive to encrusting, with compact rounded corallites 5-8 millimetres diameter. ‘Groove and tubercle’ formations are well developed. Two cycles of septa clearly alternate; both are thickened over walls and are uniformly toothed. A paliform crown is well developed.
Colour: Uniform brown or brown with green centres.
Similar species: Montastrea valenciennesi has a similar appearance underwater and is distinguished by having larger, more irregular corallites.