'''''Montipora''''' is a [[genus]] of small polyp [[Scleractinia|stony]] [[coral]] in the [[phylum]] [[Cnidaria]]. Depending on the species and location, ''Montipora'' may grow as plates or, ridges, appearingor toas somea branching form, as ais bowlsometimes orthe case with [[Montipora flowercapitata]]. Undisturbed, the plates expand radially and may encrust over surrounding rocks, shells or debris. These corals are extremely common on reefs in the [[Red Sea]], the western [[Indian Ocean]] and the southern [[Pacific Ocean]], appearing as far north as [[Hong Kong]]. There are seventy five known species.<ref name=Scl>[http://biophysics.sbg.ac.at/coral/acropor.htm Classification of Scleractinian (Stony) Corals]</ref>