The succulent, green stems of Stapelia hirsuta var. tsomoensis are square in cross-section. The small tubercular teeth on the angled stem ridges are tipped with small rudimentary leaves that leave white scars when they drop off. The erect to incurving leaves are hairy, ovate and pointed, beige in colour. To the naked eye the stems may appear hairless, but through a lens fine hairiness is revealed along the angled ridges (White and Sloane, 1937).