Annam is an archaic name for the northern regions of Vietnam, but this Cryptocoryne is known only from the central part of the country near the historic cities of Danang and Hue. Flowering specimens are easily recognised by a short tube (up to 1 cm) that ends in a bright yellow limb and cherry red throat.

Little is known about its natural habitat, although the plant is known to grow sympatrically with C. vietnamensis. Kasselmann (2003) recommends its immersed cultivation in a peaty substrate, and growth is noted to be easy, albeit slow. The plant reaches 10 cm in height, with broad, lanceolate leaves that may develop an attractive purple-red underside.