Hakea nodosa is an erect, sprawling shrub usually growing to 3 m (9.8 ft) tall and a similar width.

[3][4] Hakea nodosa was first formally described by botanist Robert Brown in 1810 and the description was published in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London.

[5][6] The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word nodosus meaning "knotty",[7] referring to the prominent knobs on the fruit.

[2] Yellow hakea occurs in south-eastern South Australia, Victoria and north-eastern Tasmania in dense heath woodlands, usually in winter wet locations on clay soil.

[3] Yellow hakea is adaptable to a wide range of soils and climatic conditions and will grow well in full sun or part shade.