Shell small to moderate sized, 4.5-15 mm., ovate-fusiform, with rounded whorls and a long ovate body-whorl, gradually contracted to a very short anterior canal. Protoconch evidently smooth and paucispiral. Adult sculpture of strong slightly oblique rounded axials, continuous from suture to suture, usually in line whorl to whorl, and continuous over the whole of the body-whorl and base. Subsidiary sculpture of numerous spiral threads, usually interrupted by the axials. Outer-lip variced, excavated above by a deep U-shaped subsutural sinus.

The genus resembles Mangelia but has a heavy labial varix, a much deeper anal sinus, and a shorter anterior canal.

Range — (typically) Miocene and Pliocene of Europe, the type species from the Plaistancian Pliocene of Italy. Also considered to belong to the Recent fauna of western America from California to Panama.