The stems are densely covered in rounded triangular leaves, which grow in 5 ranks and sometimes form a rough spiral.

This species produces cream-white flowers in the rainy season (July to March depending on region), tinged with green or yellow.

Its close relative to the west, Astroloba robusta, has no pedicels at all and longer grey-brown leaves.

[1][2] This species occurs in the Karoo flats of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

It occurs from Graaff Reinet southwards towards Albany, and east to Cradock (where Astroloba congesta takes over).