It has rough bark over part or all of the trunk, smooth grey bark above, narrow lance-shaped leaves, flower buds in groups of nine or eleven, creamy white flowers and conical fruit.

The flower buds are arranged in leaf axils in groups of nine or eleven on an unbranched peduncle 4–15 mm (0.16–0.59 in) long, the individual buds on pedicels 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) long.

[4][5] The specific epithet (zopherophloia) is from ancient Greek words meaning "dusky" and "bark".

[4] Blackbutt mallee is found in coastal areas between Jurien Bay and Zuytdorp Cliffs where it grows in grey or white sand with limestone rubble.

[3][4] This eucalypt is classified as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife,[1] meaning that is rare or near threatened.