This is a moderately wide mitrid (W/L of illustrated specimens = 0.32 & 0.33) with a spire shorter than the aperture (S/L = 0.43 for both illustrated specimens). There are 4 well spaced, convex, low, spiral cords on the penultimate whorl and fewer cords on earlier whorls. There are axial riblets on the sides of cords somewhat interrupted where they meet in the interstices. Very similar to Imbricaria interlirata sculpture. On the body whorl base, the riblets are less prominent in the interstices but are more evident on the cords where they form low nodes. The aperture is also very similar to Imbricaria interlirata with a convex outer lip. The columella is straight with 3 or 4 significant spiral folds The fasciole bulges somewhat convexly. The shell exterior color of most specimens is brown with some light blotches. One of our illustrated specimens has a broad brown band with the remainder lighter. The holotype has a darker brown band on the dorsum of the body whorl.

Shell to 50.0 mm in length, fusiform-elongate, body whorl slightly inflated in adult specimens, teleoconch of 9-10 convex whorls, protoconch of 3.5 smooth, conical embryonic whorls. Post-embryonic whorls with 3 spiral cords and pitted grooves in interspaces, penultimate whorl with 3-5 main, low and narrow spiral cords and 3-4 smaller intermediate threads, body whorls with up to 37 primary and secondary spiral cords which occasionally are almost equal in size; interspaces have moderately deep, short axial grooves, grooves confined to interspaces in adult individuals but almost reach the summits in younger specimens. Aperture equal in height or longer than the spire, narrow, smooth within, columella only narrowly calloused and with 5-6 oblique folds. Orange-brown to tan in color, ornamented with white blotches or streaks, back of outer lip usually whitish, some individuals with white and brown spotted cords; aperture white, occasionally with an orange-brown stain within.

Range - From E. Africa to the Andaman Islands, Japan and N.E. Australia.