Its name comes from Greek xeros (meaning "dry") and sicyos ("cucumber").

[1] Xerosicyos danguyi is a large liana with thick stems and round, gray succulent leaves.

[2] Xerosicyos perrieri is also a liana with thinner stems and smaller, ovate green succulent leaves.

It forms a large caudex from which deciduous vines emerge.

The leaves are lobed and semi-succulent and die back in the dry season and during prolonged periods of drought.