It is a low-growing short-lived perennial or woody subshrub, growing up to 16 in (41 cm) tall.

It is monoecious, having both male and female organs on one plant (hence the Latin specific epithet monogynum, literally "single wife").

[2] Separate populations on Chatham Island are more robust with blue-white flowers, and may be referred to as L. monogynum var.

[3] This tough compact plant is well able to cope with the harsh conditions of New Zealand's coasts, often with gale-force salt-laden winds.

It is a close relative to the true flax of the Northern Hemisphere, Linum usitatissimum, but is not closely related to the much better-known plants called New Zealand flax (species in the genus Phormium).