Adenia metamorpha is a glabrous and dimorphic species that undergo a remarkable transformation. For several years it is a low geophytic plant with a large underground storage tuber (caudex) that allow plants to survive unfavorable weather conditions, then a transition to a vining habit take place and after several years the adults develop a thin cylindrical trunk.
Leaves vary between having five lobes mottled white and green to being unlobed, cordate and green. This transformation in leaf shape can occur along a single stem. Adenia metamorpha is the only Madagascan Adenia with a narrow cylindrical trunk and large napiform tuber.