Its rosette of succulent leaves are turned back ("retuse") so as to provide a flat and level face, on the surface of the ground.

The faces appear to bulge upwards, with the leaf tips bent back downwards.

Another distinctive feature is the flecked, speckled (often pink) vein markings on the leaf faces.

These markings have made this species a very popular ornamental plant for cultivation.

The natural range of this species is in the south-eastern part of the Western Cape Province, South Africa.