The height of the shell varies between 7 mm and 13 mm. The thin, shining shell has an ovate-elongate shape. It is white, with alternate red and white short flammules below the sutures, and several revolving series of white spots. The interstices are covered with fine pink or yellowish obliquely descending lines. The five, convex whorls are separated by deeply constricting sutures. The aperture is long-oval, and rather produced below. The posterior angle is occupied by a heavy callus.[3]
Guérin, M.F.E.1829. Iconographie du règne animal de G. Cuvier: ou, représentation d'après nature de l'une des espèces les plus et souvent non encore figurées de chaque genre d'animaux: Paris, J.B. Baillière
Nordsieck, F. (1973). Il genere Tricolia Risso, 1826 nei mari d'Europa. La Conchiglia. 55-56: 3-10.
Gofas S. (1982). The genus Tricolia in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Journal of Molluscan Studies 48: 182–213
Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 180–213