Size

Colony height: reaching 5cm (2") Individual polyp diameter: 1.5cm (0.5")

Recognition Characters

Colonies composed of several small encrusting polyps. Corallites circular with deep central cavity. Six primary, protruding septa in addition to six, somewhat smaller, secondary septa encircle cavity.

Color

Outer part of skeleton is brown or occasionally yellow-brown or red-brown. Septa is white.

Habitat & Depth

Attach to a variety substrates including underside of rocks, ledge overhangs, and cave ceilings. To 30m.

Distribution at GRNMS

Abundant. Found growing in small colonies on the tops or faces of rocks and ledges.

Geographic Range

South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, and West Indies

Behavior & Notes

Often only top of the polyp is visible because the body is hidden by encrusting sponges or bryozoans.

Synonyms

References

Humann 1992b