Cruciatum means cross-shaped, referring to the way the leaves are arranged. They are more or less erect, have pointed and often reddened tips and are widened towards the base.
The flowers have long stalks and are about 6 cm across; they appear in May-July.
Characteristic for the fruits are the disintegrating stalks and the very high tops (resembling an acorn).
The plants usually grow under shrubs in sandy/gravelly loam, often together with G. linguiforme and G. carnosum; they are locally abundant, but restricted to only a few sites in the Little Karoo (Oudtshoorn – Calitzdorp area).
