The leaves of Nectaropetalum capense are simple and alternate, growing on petioles of about 6 mm long. The stipules that grow at the base of the leaf stalks are notably spike-like. They drop off early, but one pale cream-coloured one, resembling the base of the leaf midrib, is visible in the photo at the terminal leaf on the right.

Leaf shape is elliptic, tapering to the tip as well as attenuating slightly. The leaf base is square to rounded. Leaf margins are entire and slightly wavy. The leaf surface is bright green, leathery and glossy. The leaf midrib is cream coloured to green, the lateral veining and reticulate net-veining more visible on the lower surface. This veining is translucent when held against the light; it is raised on the upper surface. Leaf dimensions are up to 10 cm by 5,5 cm, but usually much smaller.

Scented greenish white flowers with narrow white petals grow solitary or in pairs on short stalks from leaf axils from midwinter to spring. The small fleshy ovoid fruit, up to 1 cm long, are green on the tree and yellow once they fall. Birds eat the fruit (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley, 1993).