Shell small to medium-sized for Fusininae (largest species to 112 mm SL), broadly fusiform, with relatively short siphonal process; teleoconch with rounded whorls, sculptured with narrow rounded axial ribs crossed by numerous rugose cords which do not form nodules on axial ribs; outer lip almost planar, its edge with closely set pairs of crenulations, its adaxial side with distinct lirae that are coarsely beaded; inner lip smooth, erect for most of its length; parietal ridge and columellar folds absent. Radula of type species described and figured by Rolan & Schoenherr (1997: 48-51, fig. 22; as Fusinus buxeus).

We designate Fusus buxeus Reeve, 1847, Recent, Cape Verde Archipelago, eastern Atlantic Ocean, as the type species of Viridifusus. A thorough search of the NHMUK collection has failed to turn up Reeve's original material. However, his 1847 illustration serves to identify this species and we select the specimen depicted in that figure as the lectotype. We recognize Viridifusus as a distinct genus of West African fusinines for a group of broadly fusiform species with a nearly planar outer lip and a relatively short siphonal process. Although species in this genus have been variously assigned to Fusus (Reeve, 1847), Neptunea (H. & A. Adams, 1853), Fasciolaria (Petit de la Saussaye, 1856), Turbinella (Kobelt in Kuster & Kobelt, 1876), Siphonalia (Tryon, 1881), Aus-trofusus (Tryon, 1881), Latirus (G.B. Sowerby III, 1893), Fusinus (Kaicher, 1978) and Pleuroploca (Abbott & Dance, 1982), an inspection of the radula of the type species demonstrates Viridifusus to belong to the Fusininae (Rolan & Schoenherr, 1997). The absence of columellar folds is consistent with this assignment.