Encrusting Star Coral

Encrusting Star Coral appears in two growth forms, one form creates thin sheets that spread like ribbons and can also produce small rounded bumps, with colors including cream, yellow, pale green, dull red, pink or lavender. The other form makes thicker crusts with a smooth or slightly uneven surface and may be green, brown or gray. In both cases the surface is covered with small star-shaped polyps.

The first form of Encrusting Star Coral grows mostly in dim places such as cave ceilings or the underside of large corals, while the other form, which makes thicker crusts, prefers open and bright areas where it spreads across rock faces.