Commentaire : B. merleti forms phaceloid colonies by extra-tentacular budding. Corallites are regularly spaced. Corallites are round to oval and 5 to 7 mm in largest diameter. Three cycles of septa are present, the first two reach the columella and are equal or sub-equal as the first can be slightly thicker and more exert. The third one reduced to less than 1/2 to 1/3 of the length of the first two. Septa are composed of one to three fan systems thus attaining smooth to dentate margins (Chevalier, 1975, Fig. 204). Septal margins and sides finely granulated. Columella formed by trabecular processes from the inner margins of septa and round papillae the center. The papillae can be separated or fused to form a sub-lamellar structure in the middle of the columella which gives it a quasi bilateral symmetry (see also Chevalier, 1975, Fig. 211). Epitheca forms few millimeters below the margin of the corallite wall which bears costae.
Protection : basse