A thick, robust shell with a large body whorl and pointed spire. The numerous thick varices are flattened against shell wall, each bearing rounded knobs and oftena stout spine. Coarse spiral ribs occur on lower half of body whorl. The deep umbilicus is surrounded by tubes which were formerly part of siphonal canal. The columella is smooth. Yellowish white, with brown spiral bands which sometimes coalesce; columella white.