What is "millepora alcicornis"

Sea ginger \Sea" gin"ger\ (Zo["o]l.) A hydroid coral of the genus Millepora, especially Millepora alcicornis, of the West Indies and Florida. So called because it stings the tongue like ginger. See Illust. under Millepore.

Millepora alcicornis, or sea ginger, is a species of colonial fire coral with a calcareous skeleton. It is found on shallow water coral reefs in the tropical west Atlantic Ocean. It shows a variety of different morphologies depending on its location. It feeds on plankton and derives part of its energy requirements from microalgae found within its tissues. It is an important member of the reef building community and subject to the same threats as other corals. It can cause painful stings to unwary divers.