Coral - Heliolites

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Silurian colonial coral Heliolites colonize Wenlock edge, Shropshire; a type of tabulata, commonly referred to as tabulate corals, an order of extinct forms of coral. They are almost always colonial, forming colonies of individual hexagonal cells known as corallites defined by a skeleton of calcite, similar in appearance to a honeycomb. Adjacent cells are joined by small pores that facilitate communication between the cells. Their distinguishing feature is their well-developed horizontal internal partitions (tabulae) within each cell, but reduced or absent vertical internal partitions (septa). They tend to be smaller than rugose corals, yet vary considerably in shape, from flat to conical to spherical.