Venustaconcha ellipsiformis shell description:

“The shell of the ellipse is generally small, reaching up to 10 cm (4 in.) long, and oblong with a bluntly pointed posterior. The shell is stout for its size. The outside of the shell is yellowish green to brown with green rays that become fine and wavy on the posterior half of the valve. The beak sculpture consists of fine double-looped lines, which are usually obscure. The pseudocardinal and lateral teeth are well developed and heavy for their size, and the inside of the shell is white with a shallow beak cavity. The ellipse resembles the mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina) and the spike (Elliptio dilatata) mussel” (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources).