staghorn coral

noun

1. any of several stony corals of the genus Acropora, having the skeleton branched like the antlers of a stag.

Word History and Origins

Origin of staghorn coral¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

They were taking part in a massive operation, led by NOAA, to preserve the last remaining live elkhorn and staghorn corals from Florida’s coral reefs.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the new Caribbean protections overlap with those already in place for threatened elkhorn and staghorn corals, which have been devastated by white band disease.

From The Guardian

This year, for the first time, UM researchers including Williamson watched the spawning of staghorn corals that had been raised in a lab and transplanted to a restoration reef off Key Biscayne.

From Washington Times

The species most likely to bleach and die are staghorn coral and other root and branch corals with spaces that allow many kinds of fish to swim and gain protection.

From New York Times

On the side walls she hung cutout shapes of staghorn corals covered with mirrored glass.

From New York Times