Eucalyptus obtusiflora is a mallee, sometimes a small tree, that typically grows to a height of 4–5 m (13–16 ft) and forms a lignotuber.

It has smooth, greyish or brownish bark that is often imperfectly shed on the lower half of the stems.

[2][3] Eucalyptus obtusiflora was first formally described in 1828 by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in his treatise, Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis.

[7] According to Dean Nicolle, Alex George and Peter G. Wilson, this situation arose because of confusion about the type material.

[8][9] Three subspecies are recognised by the APC: The Dongara mallee is found in interdunal hollows between Jurien Bay and Moora in the south of its range to Gnaraloo in the north, and inland to Wubin, Wyalkatchem and Corrigin.