The genus name Eucrypta means "well-hidden", which refers to the seeds being "hidden" in the small green bristled fruits.

These are small, weedy-looking annual plants with sticky, aromatic green foliage.

Some plants have very few leaves and are mostly stems bearing flowers and fruits.

The small flowers are bell-shaped and may be white or a light shade of pink or purple.

These are among the first plants to spring up after an area has been cleared by fire.