
Lobed Star Coral
Orbicella annularis

Protected Status
Quick Facts

Lobed star coral. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
About the Species
The lobed star coral is a species of coral that lives in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is the most thoroughly studied and most abundant species of reef-building coral in the Caribbean to date. It grows into varying colony shapes (heads, columns, plates) in response to differing light conditions. Lobed star coral is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting lobed star coral. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study, learn more about, and protect this species.
Protected Status
ESA Threatened
- Throughout Its Range

Scientific Classification
Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Cnidaria | Class | Anthozoa | Order | Scleractinia | Family | Merulinidae | Genus | Orbicella | Species | annularis |
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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/29/2022
Featured News

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In the Spotlight
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/29/2022
Management Overview
Lobed star coral is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Recovery Planning and Implementation
The Recovery Outline for Pillar Coral, Rough Cactus Coral, Lobed Star Coral, Mountainous Star Coral, Boulder Star Coral (PDF, 6 pages) is meant to serve as an interim guidance document to direct recovery efforts, including recovery planning, for pillar coral, rough cactus coral, lobed star coral, mountainous star coral, and boulder star coral.
Species Recovery Contacts
- Jennifer Moore, Southeast Corals Recovery Coordinator
- Alison Moulding, Southeast Corals Recovery Coordinator
Key Actions and Documents
More Information
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/29/2022
Science Overview
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/29/2022
Documents
5 Caribbean Coral Species Recovery Outline
This document serves as an interim guidance document to direct recovery efforts for pillar coral,…
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 04/29/2022