The globular blossom is perfumed and yellow, cream or white in color and occurs in clusters and the ends of branches.

Spearwood was first formally described in 1812 by James Edward Smith who gave it the name Metrosideros ericifolia from a specimen collected by Archibald Menzies during the Vancouver expedition's stop at King George Sound in 1791.

[7] The specific epithet (ericifolia) is a reference to the apparent similarity of the leaves of this species to those of Erica in the family Ericaceae.

Populations of this species are found as far north as Gingin and as far east as Bremer Bay on the south coast.

When the developer James Morrison sub-divided the area in 1897 creating the Spearwood Garden Estate it was the first time the name was used.

K. ericifolia is susceptible to bushfire, which will destroy a thicket, however the seedlings can quickly repopulate an area after these events.

It is easily propagated by seed or by cutting and considered to have greater potential as a garden plant than is currently recognised.

[1] Studies have found that Kunzea ericifolia contains a powerful natural insecticide (called ericfolione) that has been extracted from the plant using hexane.