Tenguella species have thick shells bearing regular dark nodules.

In T. granulata and T. marginalba, the furrows between the nodules are a contrasting lighter colour.

The nodulated appearance is reminiscent of a compound fruit, this is reflected in the common names such as "mulberry shell" and "granulated drupe".

They live on rocky shores in the intertidal zone or in shallow water, where they prey on other molluscs by drilling through their shells.

The authors proposed resurrecting Arakawa's name Tenguella for this group.