Raphionacme galpinii belongs to the Apocynaceae family. A mature specimen of this plant has a surprisingly large sweet potato-like underground rootstock from which the comparatively delicate stem and branches emerge above ground. The leaves are narrow and lanceolate, but variable in shape and have downy surfaces with a prominent whitish central vein. The flower clusters start off with hairy buds.  Open flowers have five green, regular, oblong petals and spiny corona lobes at the mouth of the corolla tubes.

This plant is found in Kwazulu-Natal, across the northern provinces of South Africa, including Gauteng and North West Province.