Achyranthes mutica, a member of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), is a many-branched shrub with stems ranging from 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) long. The opposite leaves, usually 3.2 to 4 cm (1.3 to 1.6 in) long and 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in) wide, are inversely egg-shaped to elliptic or inversely lance-shaped. The stalkless flowers are arranged in spikes (flowers directly attached to the main flower axis) that are 0.4 to 1.5 cm (0.2 to 0.6 in) long. The apetalous (lacking petals) flowers are perfect (containing both female and male parts). The sepals are of unequal length, 3 to 4.2 mm (0.1 to 0.2 in) long with sharply pointed tips.