It has rough ironbark on the trunk and larger branches, the thinnest branches glaucous, a crown composed of sessile, heart-shaped, egg-shaped or round juvenile leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flowers and cup-shaped to barrel-shaped fruit.

It has rough, dark grey to black, deeply fissured ironbark on the trunk and larger branches, usually glaucous branchlets.

The crown of the tree is usually composed of juvenile leaves that are sessile, arranged in opposite pairs, heart-shaped to egg-shaped or round with their bases stem-clasping.

[5][6] The specific epithet honours John Shirley, an educationist and scientist, who also served on the council of the Royal Society of Queensland for 33 years and was twice its president.

[7] Shirley's silver leafed ironbark is found in north and central Queensland from Mount Mulligan south through the Ravenshoe and Herberton areas to near St Lawrence.