Exocarpos humifusus is a dwarfish and sprawling shrub with woody stems, and small dry fruits that grow atop a fleshy red stalk, hence the common name of native-cherry.

[1] Exocarpos humifusus is a rigid, woody dwarf shrub with branches prostrate and spreading over the ground and rocks.

[2][3] The flowers are generally 4 parted, approximately 2.5 mm (0.098 in) in diameter and grow in bunches of 2-3 on a short stalk at the end of a stem.

[2] The fruit is a small greenish-black drupe or nut 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in length, that grows atop a fleshy receptacle.

[2][4] When mature the receptacle of the fruit is dark red fleshy, juicy and edible, attracting animals as distributors.