Cyphomandra betacea is an evergreen shrub that grows up to 2-3 metres high and rarely passes 5 metres mark. The wood is brittle and the trees are short-lived, usually lasting 12-15 years. The trunk is single upright with lateral branches and a grey bark. Its leaves are large, simple and perennial, and have a strong pungent smell. The flowers are pink-white and form clusters of 10-50 hermaphrodite flowers. They produce 1-6 fruits per cluster. Its roots are shallow and not very pronounced.