Eucalyptus curtisii is a slender mallee or small tree that typically grows to a height of 7–12 m (23–39 ft) and forms a lignotuber.

Adult leaves are lance-shaped, elliptic or curved, glossy green but much paler on the lower surface.

[6][7] The specific epithet (curtisii) honours Densil Curtis, a farmer and naturalist, who collected the type specimens in 1923 and 1929.

[3][7] Plunkett mallee grows in shrubland and open forest in poorly drained sites between Beenleigh, Inglewood, Dalby, and Theodore in south-east Queensland .

[2][3] Eucalyptus curtisii was adopted by Ipswich City Council as its floral emblem in 1996.