Shell to 30.0 mm in length, cylindrically-ovate, solid, spire short, teleoconch of 5-6 flattened or slightly convex whorl, protoconch of 1.5-2 barely differentiated embryonic whorls, sutures deeply impressed. Sculptured with moderately elevated, step-like spiral ridges which number 2-4 on the penultimate and 13-20 on the body whorl; irregular, broad and sometimes obsolete axial folds bisect the spiral cords forming blunt nodules at the point of intersection, siphonal fasciole with 3-8 oblique cords. Aperture considerably longer than the spire, narrow, smooth within, outer lip thick and crenulate, columella calloused and with 7-9 oblique folds. Usually white in color, ornamented with continuous or interrupted, narrow, dark reddish-brown spiral bands. The color form glans is light yellowish-brown with paler nodules.

The species is similar to P. undulosa (Reeve) and differs in the less numerous and more stepped spiral cords as well as color pattern. For further discussions see under P. undulosa. The dark reddish-brown lines are part of the periostracum and are easily removed during cleaning, or may be prominently worn in some specimens. According to Kay (1979) the species occurs only in subfossil form in the Hawaiian Islands.

Range - From the Philippines to the Tuamotu Archipelago. Habitat - In coral and muddy sand, from the intertidal zone to a depth of 55 m.