The species is native to India, South Africa and North Australia. Shatavari is a medicinal plant with a history of traditional use in Ayurveda. It is valued for its therapeutic properties and is known for its tuberous roots.

It is climber of seasonal subtropical forests. Leaves are small and scale like. Leaves often confused or called as leaves are actually “cladophylls”. Inflorescence is raceme, 2.5-5 cm long, slender. Flowers bisexual, 5-6 mm across, white.