The cape quillwort is a tufted geophyte with horny toothed scales.

The dark brown leathery bud scales are triangular and have dimensions of about 3 by 3 mm (0.12 by 0.12 in).

It grows on sandy clay soils in low areas that experience seasonal flooding as well as around vleis.

[7] While it may form colonies, this species is often difficult to find as it grows amongst grasses.

Each pseudocorm is protected by a series of overlapping brown scales, which remain as a leathery structure surrounding the new leaves that appear in the next wet season.

[4] This species is considered to be endangered by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.

[6] In 1955 the University of Cape Town Lecturer Edith Stephens donated a piece of land (now known as the Edith Stephens Wetland Park) in an attempt to preserve the type population of the cape quillwort.