It is endemic to northern Australia and the common names derive from the fact that the wedge-shaped mound is aligned with its main axis running north and south.

Each is the nest of a colony of Amitermes meridionalis and houses the queen, king, reproductives, soldiers and workers.

The outer surface of the mound is hard and durable whereas the material separating the chambers and galleries inside is more papery.

[2] The soldiers are 4 to 6 mm (0.16 to 0.24 in) long and their curved mandibles bear a single in-turned tooth.

In the summer, when the land floods, the termites remain safely inside feeding on their stored food supplies.