A large shrub, sometimes attaining the stature of a small tree. Narrow, stiff green leaves are produced in a fine dense canopy. Bark is fine grey and fissured.
The flowers are smaller than the familiar cultivated forms of bittlebrush (mainly C. citrinus and C. viminalis and their many cultivars)and usually cream, although often with a pink tinge.
Very large speciments growing along creeks may develop attractive gnarled trunks.