The rachis is covered all round with dimorphic polyps, radially arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Siphonozoids are packed between the bases of the retractile autozooids, which have inconspicuous non-retractile bifurcated calyces.

Colour is variable and permanent; individual colonies may be entirely reddish brown, pink or mauve, yellow, white or cream, or the rachis may be purple to reddish purple, with a yellow, white, pink or brownish peduncle.

Range from Cape Columbine on the west coast of South Africa to Inhaca Island in Mozambique.

The short peduncle is easily uprooted[1] and specimens may be found lying loose on the sand after rough weather.