This genus, in numbers of species, is the largest in the subfamily Muricinae. The shells, varying in size from small to very large, are characterized by having three more or less foliaceous varices. The spire is generally moderately high. The body whorl may be capacious to moderate in size, with an aperture that may range from small to large; the aperture may bear a prominent labial tooth, as in the type species, or the tooth may be completely Licking. The canal ranges from short to quite long, depending on the species. Axial sculpture generally consists of three varices and one or more axial ridges in each intervarical space. Denticulation or liration of the interior of the outer apertural lip i.s generally lacking, although a few species do show this feature. The shells range in color from almost pure white to dark brown-black, with brown the predominant color in most species.
Tropical and subtropical portions of the Indo-West Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.