An erect or decumbent perennial herb. Leaves simple, ovate on short stalks with bristly hairs on both surfaces.

Inflorescence is a dense, many flowered umbel borne terminally. Flowers are mauvish green with a bright yellow corona and sweetly scented. Flowering time: October to March. Fruit ± 50mm long, with long, bumpy, fleshy ridges, tip beaked.

This widespread species of Asclepias is varied over its range and a number of distinct ecotypes can be observed. One of the most common forms occurs along the Natal coast. In this form plants are smaller, stems with few leaves broadly ovate and shorter, with longer peduncles. The form found along the Zululand coast is also distinct with shorter peduncles, narrow, lanceolate, hairy leaves and shorter stems. Plants in Natal Midlands have lanceolate leaves that are darker green than usual. However, up to now, no evidence has been found to support hydridization.