This species varies in size, stoutness, and colour; from the adult an immature shell so differs in outline, that a collector does not at first recognise it as the same kind, for it much resembles Triforis gemmulatus Adams and Reeve. As a whole the contour of the adult shell resembles that of a carrot, the upper whorls tapering to a slender point, the lower swollen to bulbous. Colour, which alters in drying, reddish purple to lilac, the apex and the lower row of gemmules usually cream. Whorls about eighteen. Gemmules subcircular, polished bosses, shelved above, separated by about half their own diameter, in two rows of about twenty-two in a whorl, alternating vertically * the interspaces between the gemmules are spirally wrinkled. On the antipenultimate whorl a spiral thread arises between the two rows of gemmules, but following the sinuations of the upper, this gradually increases, becomes segmented, and on the last whorl forms an additional row of gemmules. Just behind the aperture extra rows are also intercalated. The protoconch is acicular, four or five whorled, the whorls bicarinate, crossed obliquely by numerous fine bars, which bead the carina;. The aperture is perpendicular, almost square, lip reflected, the right margin crossing the canal in a spur, the canal being closed by its anterior wall folded over, but not touching the pillar. Anal notch deep, a subcircular, subtubular, orifice in the place of the last sutural gemmule; onwards from the last actual gemmule the lip is free from the body whorl. Length 7,5 mm.