Cyrtandra hematos is a shrub reaching 0.3–1.5(–2) meters in height, with few-branched stems that are rounded to angular and covered in multicellular hairs, which may become smoother (glabrate) over time. The leaves are in whorls of 3–4 per node, primarily on the upper 5–8 nodes. The leaves are subequal at each node, symmetrical or nearly so, and elliptic in shape, measuring 9–15 cm in length and 2.5–4 cm in width. They have acuminate apexes, cuneate bases, and serrate margins. The upper surfaces of the leaves are sparsely bullate hirsute, while the lower surfaces are sparsely appressed pilose, mainly along the principal veins, with the blades being chartaceous. The petioles range from 1.5 to 6.5 cm long and may clasp the stem or appear perfoliate. The flowers are solitary, arising in the leaf axils or occasionally along the stems, with an 8–10 mm long peduncle and an 8–22 mm long pedicel. The calyx is nearly actinomorphic, green(?), 8–9 mm long, and cleft to the base, with lobes ranging from oblong to narrowly lanceolate. The corolla is typically bilabiate and white, with a narrow funnelform tube approximately 18 mm long. The plant has five stamens, two upper fertile and three staminodial stamens. The flower’s ovary is superior, glabrous, and oblong-ovoid with a parietal placentation. The fruit is described as a fleshy or firm ovoid berry, about 1.2 cm long in its immature state, often tipped by the persistent stylar beak.  It is found in wet forests between 1,030-1,150 meters.