Shell up to 130 mm (about 5 inches) in length, elongate-ovate, heavy and solid, sutures very narrowly canaliculate. Whorls 9-11 apart from the protoconch, spire whorls convex and occasionally weakly shouldered on the presutural ramp. First 6 post-nuclear whorls with flat or slightly rounded spiral cords and distinct axial lirations which become obsolete on the later whorls and are substituted by numerous, macroscopic longitudinal hair-lines; the spiral grooves are narrow and deep, smooth on the last 2-4 whorls, and produce broad and flat spiral cords which number from 5-6 on the penultimate and from 11-14 on the body whorl. Juvenile specimens have usually more numerous spiral cords on the body whorl. Aperture shorter than the spire, moderately narrow and smooth within; outer lip only moderately thickened and scalloped at the margin, columella calloused and angulate and with 4-5 well-spaced, oblique folds in adults and 3 folds in immature specimens. Siphonal fasciole thickened and twisted, siphonal notch distinct White to cream in colour, occasionally flushed with yellowish-brown and covered by a black periostracum; aperture and columella cream in colour.

Range: Gulf of California, Mexico to Panama. Habitat: Sublittoral, to a depth of 50 fathoms.