A small-leaved shrub to small tree. The young plants tend to have very tiny leaves and are often spiny. On older plants the leaves grow larger and they become virtually thornless. The foliage is generally sparse and the grey bark develops and attractive tesselated appearance. Dense, pyramidal inflorescences of tiny, white, lightly perfumed blossom appear in early summer.

The form of this species varies across its wide range. On the Victorian Volcanic Plain Bioregion, it grew in the form of a small tree. In mature trees the foliage is dense, dark green with 'silver' undersides and the grey bark is creased and warty.