The flower buds are arranged in leaf axils in groups of seven, nine or eleven on an unbranched peduncle 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) long, the individual buds on a thick pedicel 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long.

[4][5] The specific epithet (exigua) is from the Latin word exiguus meaning "small" or "feeble", referring to the habit of this species compared to the similar Eucalyptus brachycorys.

[4] Eucalyptus exigua is part of the subgenus Symphyomyrtus section Dumaria in a sub-group of nine closely related species called series Ovulares.

[6] This mallee is found on sandplains mainly east of Hyden in the Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance regions of Western Australia, where it grows in sandy loamy soils.

[3][4] This eucalypt is classified as "Priority Three" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife[3] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.