The large pink ink plant is a partly parasitic herb. It grows in the natural state in open, moist grassland in the eastern parts of South Africa and is (still) found widespread in this habitat. 

The pink flowers of Cycnium racemosum are fragrant. They occur on multiple racemes from summer to early winter. The calyx is tubular with a ribbed surface and short, hooked teeth on the sepal margins. The leaves that grow on erect stems have reddish, toothed margins. 

The roots are much used in traditional Zulu medicine (Manning, 2009).