It is an erect, diffuse shrub with crowded, curved leaves and heads of flowers that are usually reddish purple, although other colours also occur.

Beaufortia elegans is an erect, usually spreading shrub which grows to a height of 2.5 metres (8 ft).

The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and are 2–5 millimetres (0.08–0.2 in) long, crowded, dished, curved and lacking a stalk.

Flowering occurs from June to January but mostly from October to December and is followed by fruits which are woody, almost spherical capsules 8–10 millimetres (0.3–0.4 in) in diameter.

[7] Beaufortia elegans is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.