Banksia falcata is a column-shaped shrub that typically grows to a height of 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) but does not form a lignotuber.

There are linear to narrow lance-shaped involucral bracts 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) long covered with rusty, woolly hairs at the base of the head.

Flowering occurs from September to November or January and the follicles are oval, 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and covered with soft hairs.

[3][2] This banksia was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown in the journal Transactions of the Linnean Society of London and given the name Dryandra falcata.

[5][6] The specific epithet (falcata) is a Latin word meaning "falcate" or "shaped like a scythe or sickle".