A very small winkle (growing up to 0.9 cm in height) with a high pointed spire and flat sides. The shell resembles a grape pip. The aperture is oval shaped with a pointed apex and the outer lip bears a transparent flap-like extension (the periostracum). The shell is dark bluish to blackish-brown in colour, occasionally with spiral banding or vertical stripes on the last whorl. Pale shells may also occur.It feeds primarily on black lichens and detritus. Breeding occurs from autumn to spring.