The habit of this plant is upright, becoming slightly curved, combining with the many regular branches to form a rounded aspect.

The smooth and spherical appearance of the species is given by the droop of the branchlets, the similar colour and size of the leaves and flowers, and upcurving of the outward branches.

The specific name is derived from the Latin word esparto, referring to a kind of Spanish grass that was used for its fibre.

It was first described by Robert Brown, in 1810, having collected the plants on his visit to King George Sound in 1802.

The species is a hemi-parasite, gaining nutrients from other plant's roots, a process undertaken by many in the Santalaceae family.