Characters: Colonies are encrusting to submassive with exsert corallites surrounded by a neat circle of thecal papillae. Coenosteum papillae are also prominent, giving colonies a spiny appearance.
Colour: Mottled brown, cream or red-brown.
Similar species: Montipora efflorescens, which has a mounded surface and more clearly differentiated coenosteum and thecal papillae. See also M. peltiformis.