Cyanella pentheri is a cormous perennial reaching 30 cm in height.
The pale mauve to nearly white flowers are presented in a well-branched, erect panicle above the inconspicuous leaves. The flower has six tepals, more flexed back than spreading. A greenish ring is visible around the flower centre, formed by small patches on the tepal bases.
The yellow anthers are conspicuous, protruding from the flower centres with the anther tips curved down. Anther shape has brought several Cyanella species the common name of lady’s hand. Flowering happens in late winter and early spring.
The species distribution is mainly in the northwest of the Western Cape, spilling over into the southwest of the Northern Cape in a region near Clanwilliam, the Bokkeveld Escarpment, the Biedouw Valley where the photo was taken and the Olifants River valley.
The habitat is succulent Karoo and arid fynbos on sandstone flats, rocky slopes and outcrops. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).