A well-known, easily recognized shell, characterized by its rounded, subglobular shape, whitish to grayish color, often maculated with black, its sculpture of strong spiral ridges, 3 strong teeth on the columella, and by its convex rugose columellar area. The species is characterized by possessing an operculum that is slightly concave and whose exterior is smooth and somewhat granulose on the outer edge and not delimited as a distinct raised band as implied by Gray (1858:93). The parietal area is convex and rugose, and the columellar lip possesses three strong plica-like teeth; there are 3 to 5 moderately strong teeth between 2 large teeth on the inside of the outer lip. Width 20.78 ; Height 22.94 mm

Length, 20 mm; diameter, 19 mm. Shell: globose; spirally corded; gray-white. Spire: three whorls; spire prominent. Sculpture: thick spiral cords separated by grooves of about equal diameter. Aperture: lunate; outer lip with ten teeth, inner lip with three or four oblique teeth; septum thick, oblique, wrinkled. Operculum: thin, light brown, smooth. Color: variable — white to brown, often spotted and streaked with black.
Specimens of N. plicata are uncommon along the shores of the windward islands where they are infrequently found high on the shoreline in crevices and pits on limestone benches and on the limbs of kiawe (Prosopis) trees overhanging the water, but they are frequently found at Midway and Pearl and Hermes Reef.
This species is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific; it is the dominant nerite on atolls throughout the Central Pacific and has been recorded as far east as Clipperton

Eastern Islands. Chile.

RANGE.—Throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa to Clipperton and Easter Island.
HABITAT.—On rocks above water level.