Cyrtandra subumbellata, a member of the Gesneriaceae (African violet) family, is a shrub 2 to 3 m (6.6 to 10 ft) tall. Papery in texture, the leaves are almost circular to egg-shaped, 12 to 39 cm (4.7 to 15.4 in) long, and 3 to 19 cm (1.2 to 7.5 in) wide. The upper leaf surface is wrinkled, whereas the lower surface has conspicuously raised net-like veins and is moderately covered with white glands. Five to 15 white flowers are densely arranged on an inverse umbrella-shaped flowering stalk which arises from the leaf axil. The main flower stalk is 2 to 8 mm (0.08 to 0.3 in) long. The style is approximately 10 mm (0.4 in) long. The round, white berries are 1 to 1.5 cm (0.4 to 0.6 in) long.