[3] This species is endemic to the South African coast and is found only from Cape Point to Port Elizabeth[4] in 5–30 m of water.

[5] The purple lady is a slender purple-bodied aeolid with red cerata having white tips.

[4] In common with other aeolid nudibranchs, the cerata of the purple lady aid in respiration but also contain extensions of the digestive system.

The purple lady eats the hydroid and passes its nematocysts unharmed through its digestive system to the tips of its cerata.

It is probable that the bright colours of the purple lady serve to advertise to predators that it is toxic.