Dendrophyllia Blainville, 1830

Diagnosis.

Colonies formed by extra-tentacular budding, resulting in three general forms: arborescent colonies with axial corallites; small bushy colonies with sparse branching; or dendroid colonies with sympodial branching. All forms originate from a single basal stem. Synapticulothecate. Costae usually clearly defined. Septa arranged in Pourtalès plan. Pali may be present. Columella spongy. Tabular endothecal dissepiments may be present.

Type species.

Madrepora ramea Linnaeus, 1758, by subsequent designation (Milne-Edwards and Haime 1850b).