Syringopora species from the Carboniferous of Cumbria is a bifurcating coral. It grows upwards forming an ever extending set of coral stems that diverge into two stems at frequent intervals. Cross branches are secreted to bind the coral structure together.
These types of corals are found throughout the Palaeozoic Era in many similar forms. Without restrictions, the growth pattern would lead to a large domed coral with living corals at the top edge. In a reef, the developed shape of the structure would be less even.
fossil a day 