Characters: Colonies are massive, encrusting, or are thick unifacial plates. Corallites are slightly exsert, surrounded by partly fused thecal papillae. Coenosteum papillae are also present. Colour: Usually dark brown or green but may be pale colours or bright blue or pink. Similar species: Montipora efflorescens. Montipora nodosa has larger corallites. See also M. lobulata. Habitat: Upper reef slopes. Abundance: Common.