This species may be the same as Scolymia cubensis, as Veron (2000) points out. Other authorities believe it is a valid species.

When less than full grown the two species are difficult to distinguish. When fully grown, S. lacera reaches a larger size than S. cubensis, and several reports describe S. lacera as being significantly larger, more fleshy, and with a fleshy perimeter that extends further beyond the edge of the limestone calice. It is the coral with the largest polyps in the Caribbean region.

Fenner believes that S. lacera may be young Mussa angulosa.
Fenner, D.P. 1993. Species distinctions among several Caribbean corals. Bulletin of Marine Science 53: 1099-1116.