Flowers are axillary, solitary, bell-shaped, 3–6 cm long, orange (darkening when dried).

It has a thick tuberous root, from which hollow, scrambling stems about 3 m are produced each year.

The fruit is a large ovate, fleshy berry, orange when ripe, and edible.

This species is valued in cultivation for its scrambling habit and attractive deep orange bell flowers.

In cultivation in the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.