Classification:

• Phylum-Coelenterata
• Class-Anthozoa
• Order-Gorgonacea
• Genus-Corallium

Comments:

1. 1.Corallium is commonly known as red coral.
2. 2.Colony is branched upright vertically and reaches Upto 30 cm in height.
3. 3.Skeleton consists of separate spicules embedded in a cement-like deposit of calcium carbonate resulting in the formation of an extremely hard and dense branched axial rod.
4. 4.The axial rod which is formed of red lime stone extends as an axis.
5. 5.Gorgonin is entirely absent.
6. 6.The colony is dimorphic.The axis is covered by collenchyma on which two kinds of zooids are formed.
7. 7.The zooids are white and retractile.
8. 8.It is viviparous because the planula larva develops inside the zooid.
9. 9.Corallium is precious red coral which has been used widely in jewelry .It is also known as red monga .

Source:

1. Practical Zoology Invertebrates by S.S.Lal. 2. A Manual of Practical Zoology Chordates by Dr. P.S. Verma.