It is variably coloured, and may be maroon, orange or purple, or even variegated.

The knobs sometimes contrast with the body colour as do the tentacles.

It has small round protrusions (spherules) at the base of its tentacles.

[2] It is found around the southern African coast from Luderitz to Durban.

Sand never sticks to its column, and it is often found attached to mussels or red bait, Pyura stolonifera.