Corallum pedicellate, vasiform, standing on creeping base; pedicel 2.5 cm x 2 cm; height of corallum 3-4 cm; upper region expands widely and produces sidewise several columns (branches) of various sizes – resembles cauliflower or mushroom; cerioid. Edge of base closely adherent, line with thin epitheca.
Corallites vertical, crowded, most with calices 1 mm diameter (few calices up to 1.5 mm), polygonal, fossa deep. Wall thin, its edge lined with few stout, sharp pointed spines which are taller and more abundant on top of corallum, pores wider than intervening threads.
Septa variable in number, not defined into cycles – some corallites have as few as 3, others have as many as 10; generally in form of sharp pointed spines, stouter in lower corallites (on pedicel) as to be triangular in form; projecting beyond radius midpoints; in some corallites, septa at bottom of fossa from a sort of columellar tangle, in other no such structure is produced, the inner ends of the septa remain free.
The growth form of this coral is unique among the species of Alveopora so far reported. The construction of its corallites resembles that of A. alcalai also reported previously by the present author but they are smaller in the present species. Furthermore, the septa in the species reported here are longer and more prominent than in A. alcalai.
This species is named in honor of Mrs. Naomi Alcala of Dumaguete City.
