DIAGNOSIS: A Columbarium with an elongate spire, smooth spire whorls bisected by a median keel bearing laterally directed triangular projections, posterior whorl slope of body whorl flat and smooth, anterior whorl slope of body whorl with the anterior carina and usually a single lira posterior to it.
DESCRIPTION : Shell gradate with a prominent median keel on the spire whorls, keel bearing laterally directed blunt triangular projections, of which there are ten on the last whorl. Posterior whorl slope flat and smooth, anterior whorl slope of spire whorls smooth; anterior whorl slope of body whorl with the anterior carina and often a single nodulose lira slightly posterior to it. The nodules of the lira occur immediately beneath the projections of the keel. Aperture subrectangular, canal straight with a few incipient spiral threads. Radula and operculum typical of the family.

In whorl profile and pattern of ornament this species most closely resembles Columbarium spinicinctum Martens but is completely devoid of spines or scales on the lirae of the body whorl and canal. The keel also is divided into blunt triangular projections rather than the prominent keel spikes typical of most species of the genus and the body whorl occasionally has well developed nodules or even folds beneath the keel projections.

LOCATION OF TYPE: South African Museum, Cape Town: Holotype SAM A3501, Paratype SAM A3500, both from Pieter Faure Collection.
TYPE LOCALITY: Cape St Blaize,South Africa.
OCCURRENCE: Type locality; Cape Seal, distant 55 miles, 87 fathoms; Cape St Francis, NE. distant 29 miles, 75 fathoms; Glendower Beacon (near Port Alfred), NiW, distant 16 miles, 66 fathoms.