It is a shrub or small tree with short, stiff, prickly leaves and pink to red flowers in spring.

Calothamnus rupestris is an erect, often compact, sometimes spreading shrub or small tree growing to 0.9–4 metres (3–10 ft) in height.

[4] Calothamnus rupestris is found in the Perth suburbs of Red Hill and Gosnells, the Boyagin Rock Nature Reserve[2] and in the Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions.

The species' habitat on rocky outcrops means populations are protected from the effects of lower intensity burns.

[5] Calothamnus rupestris is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.