Stenogyne kaalae subsp. kaalae is a scandent vine that climbs 1–2 meters high. The stems are quadrangular and feature pubescence in their grooves. The leaves are simple and opposite, with ovate-lanceolate blades measuring 4.2–7.7 cm in length and 1.7–2.9 cm in width. The apex is acute, and the base ranges from obtuse to cordate. The leaf surfaces are glabrous and subcoriaceous, with thin, membranous textures. Edges are serrated, and 5–15 mm long petioles are glabrous or sometimes sparsely hairy. There are no stipules. The flowers occur 2–6 per verticillaster (inflorescence that resembles a whorl but consists of two crowded cymes on either side of the stem), positioned axially, and sometimes raised on 4–8 mm long peduncles, with 4–7 mm long pedicels that are puberulent. The calyx is radially symmetrical and narrowly campanulate, ranging from 8–15 mm long at anthesis and enlarging during fruiting; it is glabrous with linear-lanceolate teeth. The bilabiate corolla features a dark maroon tube and lobes, with the exterior hispid and the interior glandular-pubescent. The corolla tube is 10–12.5 mm long, narrowly funnelform and straight. Stamens are typically four, with lengths similar or with the upper pair slightly longer, included within or well-exserted beyond the upper lip of the corolla; filaments are pubescent. The ovary is superior, 2-carpellate with basal-axile placentation, and usually one ovule per ovary lobe. The style is exserted, usually cleft, diverging post-anther dehiscence, with two subulate stigmas. The fruit consists of 1-seeded, drupaceous nutlets (pictured), bluish black at maturity, about 7 mm long, slightly winged at the margins, obliquely attached at the base, and included within the calyx; the exocarp is fleshy. The seeds lack an endosperm or are scanty and oily. It is found in diverse mesic forests between 750-1,100 meters.