[1] Murray Ross Henderson, the Scottish botanist who first formally described the species, named it after its sepals which are rounded like the arc of a circle (rotundatus in Latin).

Its dark, young branches initially have fine red hairs, but become hairless when mature.

Its papery, hairless, oblong to elliptical leaves are 10.5-23.5 by 3.5-8.5 centimeters with tips that taper to a point.

Smaller veins create a fine network that gives the leaves a granular texture.

The lance-shaped outer petals are 2.5 by 1 centimeter and have sparse red hairs.