Korthalsella degeneri, a member of the Santalaceae (sandalwood) family, is a parasitic herb with many-branched stems 9 to 21 cm (3.6 to 8.4 in) long, with the central stem usually not obvious past the first internode. Stems arise distichously (in two opposite rows in the same plane). Stems are cylindrical for two to three internodes, otherwise flattened throughout, 10 to 13 mm (0.4 to 0.5 in) long, 2 to 4 mm (0.08 to 0.2 in) wide. Axils (the point between stem and branch) are also distichous. Flower groups are confined to the axils. Plants are observed to be parasitic on native Nestegis (olopua) and Sapindus (lonomea) trees.