The shrub typically grows to a height of 1.5 to 2 metres (4.9 to 6.6 ft) and has an obconical open habit.

It has erect branches that curve upwards and glabrous to sparsely hairy branchlets.

The grey-green to green phyllodes are widely spreading and rotated on the branchlets.

The specific epithet is thought to be in reference to the downy appearance of the shrub.

[4] It is endemic to eastern New South Wales from around the Hunter Valley in the north to the Hunter Range in the south where it is found growing in stony sandy loams derived from sandstone soils in woodland communities.