Characters: Colonies are massive, usually hemispherical, up to 0.8 metres across. Corallites are circular, and vary in size according to stage of growth. Mature corallites are 6-8 millimetres diameter, crowded and open, with a neat appearance. Septa are neatly arranged in two alternating orders. A paliform crown is formed from 6-8 septa. Columellae are small.
Colour: Uniform grey, pinkish-brown or orange with pale oral discs.
Similar Species: Does not closely resemble any other species. Plesiastrea versipora has smaller, less compact corallites with thicker walls. See also Astrea rotulosa.
Habitat: Shallow reef environments.
Abundance: Rare.
Taxonomic Note: Previously placed in genus Montastraea.
Taxonomic References: Veron (2000a); Veron (2002a); Huang, Benzoni, Fukami et al. (2014);
