[1] Astroloba tenax has curved, spreading leaves, which have a shiny surface, often with a variation of lines, spots or tubercles.

Each flower is tiny, gray and tubular, with a constricted yellow neck, and lobes which barely open.

It is extremely variable in size and the moltenoi variety has the largest plants in the genus.

Astroloba tenax is distinguished by its flowers and by the form of its glossy leaves.

[2] This species is restricted to a small, arid area in the vicinity of Prince Albert, in the Western Cape Province, South Africa.