Albuca setosa, the fibrous slime lily, has narrow leaves that become broader at the base. They are slightly fleshy until the dry season or adverse conditions make them wither. The plant grows in most parts of South Africa, except for the extreme south-western Cape. Some of these regions, e.g. Namaqualand, the Karoo, Eastern Cape and the eastern grassland have harsh dry summer or winter seasons; or low rainfall overall. The plant is also found widespread over southern and tropical Africa. Blooming in South Africa occurs from late winter to midsummer.
Unlike many Albuca species with pendulous flowers, this one has flowers that face up. The flowers are white with green keels on their tepals. There is flower fragrance, a scent of spicy vanilla. Flowers grow on long pedicels in a flat-topped raceme. The inner tepals stay together and erect, while the outer three open widely.
The upper part of the bulb has a notable tough tunic, a fibrous covering (Manning, 2009; www.pacificbulbsociety.org).