It is a prostrate to ascending or erect annual plant with egg-shaped to lance-shaped stem-leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and racemes of yellow flowers with brownish markings.

Goodenia holtzeana is a prostrate to ascending or erect herb with stems up to 60 cm (24 in) long.

Flowering occurs from February to June and the fruit is a more or less spherical or oval nut 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) in diameter.

[2][3] This species was first formally described in 1958 by Raymond Specht who gave it the name Calogyne holtzeana in the Records of the American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land from specimens collected by Maurice William Holtze near Port Darwin.

[7] This goodenia grows in forest in arid environments in the Top End region of the Northern Territory.