White coral MONTIPORA SP

MONTIPORA sp., commonly known as lettuce coral, forms spreading colonies whose wavy blades resemble the petals of a flower. Native to the Solomon Islands, this specimen developed sheltered from strong waves, which explains the delicacy of its contours. In its living state, its brown surface was edged with a vivid pink border, like a fine line of colour at the tip of each “petal.”
Once deprived of its polyps, only the white mineralised skeleton remains, highlighting the delicate pattern of its reliefs. Displayed on a brass base, this coral naturally belongs in a cabinet of curiosities.
Each specimen comes with its CITES certificate, the mandatory document attesting to its legal provenance. Such authorised pieces are becoming increasingly rare, a natural consequence of stricter international protections.