Tuberous rooted, basally woody shrub up to 1.5 m, branching at base only. Leaves ascending, dimorphic (having two leaf forms), lower leaves have broad lobes, upper leaves with narrow to sub-terete lobes. Small flowers in compound umbels on stout stalks, yellow. Fruit narrowly obovoid, not compressed, ridged.

Greek: apium (family Apiaceae) = parsley, celery; referring to the plants celery or parsely-like foliage.

Greek: glia = glue; Khoisan: gli, = the plant is so-called by the Khoisan, who prepared an inebriating liquor from the tuberous roots - providing great glee!