It has smooth bark, narrow lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds that are square in cross-section arranged in groups of seven in leaf axils, creamy white, sometimes pink flowers, and fruit that are square in cross-section.Eucalyptus calycogona is mallee that typically grows to a height of 5–6 m (16–20 ft), or rarely a small tree, and forms a lignotuber.

[8][9] Four subspecies have been formally described and accepted by the Australian Plant Census: Gooseberry mallee grows in mallee woodlands and shrublands in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

[4][7][11][12][17] Subspecies trachybasis is found from the eastern side of Spencer Gulf in South Australia, westwards to Boort and Kerang and north from Edenhope in Victoria.

[18] E. calycogona is cultivated as an ornamental or shade tree that is suitable for coastal or inland areas.

The tree is tolerant of drought, lime and moderate frost and is bird and insect attracting.