The strength of the granulations and the depth of the dorsal sulcus can vary considerably. « A dorsal longitudinal groove, often very indistinct, and sometimes restricted to the anterior end (capensis), or absent (smithi), smooth or granulate, the granules over whole shell or restricted to the posterior end, sometimes forming short axial riblets. Labial and columellar teeth 19-21. Cream, buff, pinkish, pale greenish, sometimes faintly banded. » – K. H. Barnard: “Contributions to the knowledge of South African marine mollusca part III. Gastropoda: Prosobranchia: Taenioglossa”, Annals of the South African Museum vol.47, Wynberg 1963, p.53. Nota bene that the epithet smithi, considered by Barnard as a synonym of sulcifera, is now regarded as valid.