The aperture is elongated, ovate, of a reddish yellow, and slightly emarginated at its base.

The outer lip is thin, forming at its upper and internal part a sort of small canal at its union with the left lip.

The columella is almost straight, subverrucose, and of a reddish yellow.

[2] The shell is dull brown with fine ridges along the spirals and a papery outer layer that peels off when dead, but in life is usually encrusted by the commensal bryozoan Alcyonidium nodosum which gives a slightly nodular velvety appearance in purplish to orangy browns[3] Easily confused in the field with B. pubescens, which does not reach the same maximum size.

[4] This marine species occurs off the west coast of South Africa from Namibia to Hermanus, subtidally to 37m, Endemic.