Testa transversim, elongata, cylindrica, fragili, nitida, viridescente lineolis ferrugineis variegata, antice convexiuscula subrecta, postice subangulata. – F. J. Cantraine: “Diagnoses de quelques espèces nouvelles de mollusques”, Bull. Acad. Roy. Sciences vol. XI, Bruxelles 1835, via BHL. This description does not give the main distinctive feature: the radial sculpture that covers the whole shell, except a large band in the middle of each valve.

« The front section of the shell has 16 to 17 ribs, the rear 24 to 28. […] The growth striae are regular and fine. When they cross the radial stripes, the surface appears finely latticed. Colour: green-yellow, with red-brown zigzag spots. The lighter triangles, which enclose these zigzags, point their tips radiantly against the ventral margin of the valve. Cuticle light green; when it is replaced by potash, the shell appears white with yellow-brown zigzag stripes. » – op. cit. p.83.