[3] Colonies of Millepora complanata have an encrusting base and thin upright plates or blades growing to a height of about 50 centimetres (20 in).

This fire coral is pale brown or cream coloured, with white tips to the blades.

Contact with this fire coral by bare skin can cause a severe stinging sensation.

[1] Some of the polyps of Millepora complanata are dactylozooids with hair-like processes and stinging cells that detect the presence of zooplankton and help entrap it.

[8] The reproduction of fire corals is complex and involves an alternation of asexual and sexual generations.