The bracts surrounding the flower heads are egg-shaped, very concave with flat longish hairs up to 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long.

[2][3] Hakea chromatropa was first formally described in 2007 by Alex George and Robyn Mary Barker and published in Nuytsia.

However in a television interview, Alex George stated that Hakea chromatropa "has a lovely scent like vanilla".

[2][5] Hakea chromatropa has a restricted distribution in four localities in the northern Jarrah Forest and north- western Avon Wheatbelt.

[3] Hakea chromatropa is listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife,[6] meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.