Spiloxene curculigoides is but one of the flowers belonging to this genus that bears the name of Cape star or in Afrikaans sterretjie (little star).  It is a small, cormous perennial with a few narrow leaves from the base and a yellow six tepalled flower on a green stalk. It can be distinguished from Spiloxene canaliculata in that it does not have the dark central circular area or 'peacock eye' at the tepal bases. The outer surfaces of the tepals of S. curculigoides are green. The stamens form a typical ring around the style of the flower.

The plant commonly grows in moist areas, sometimes through seepage, to the extent that this is available in Namaqualand that is still within their distribution area. There are about 25 species in this genus, several of them occurring in the western winter rainfall area.