Romulea hirsuta is a cormous perennial that grows two to four leaves from the base as well as a flower stem of between 6 cm and 30 cm. The bell-shaped corm with its woody coat is symmetrical, unlike those of many of the other Romulea species.

The distribution in the Western Cape ranges from Clanwilliam to the Cape Peninsula and eastwards to Caledon and Bredasdorp. The habitat is granitic, sandy and clayey flats and slopes. The species is not threatened early in the twenty first century (Manning, 2007; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot; www.redlist.sanbi.org; www.pacificbulbsociety.org).