Single-celled, but cells often join to form zig-zag colonies. The frustule appears highly silicised. In valve view, the cell appears elongated, with undulating margins. In girdle view it appears rectangular with characteristic incisions on the edges in the form of musical notes. On the valve surface, in the centre is one or more rimoportulae, at the apices numerous pores and, clearly visible, transversal silicon septa. In the cytoplasm plastids are not observed.

This genus is epiphytic, found in marine, brackish and freshwater environments.

Verbreitung und einfluss des mikroskopischen lebens in Süd- und Nord-Amerika., Akad. Wiss. Berlin, Ehrenberg C.G., 1843, 291-466, Pls 1-4