Achyranthes splendens var. rotundata is a shrub 0.5 to 2 m (1.6 to 6.6 ft) tall with opposite, broad, elliptic or nearly circular leaves. The leaves are covered with white silky hairs and measure 2 to 12 cm (0.8 to 4.7 in) long and 1.5 to 7.3 cm (0.6 to 2.9 in) wide. Flowers are arranged in 3 to 25 cm (1.2 to 9.8 in) spikes (unbranched clusters of unstalked flowers) which are covered with white hairs, and located at the ends of the stems. Each flower has sepals about 6.5 to 8 mm (0.3 in) long and is subtended by three spine-tipped bracts. The one-seeded, unopening fruit is 1.5 to 3 mm (0.06 to 0.1 in) long.