Melaleuca decussata is a densely branched shrub growing to a height and width of 3 m (10 ft).

[2][3][4] Melaleuca decussata was first formally described by Robert Brown in 1812 in the second edition of Hortus Kewensis from material collected from the southern coastal region of Australia.

[2] Melaleuca decussata occurs between coastal areas of South Australia (including the Eyre Peninsula) and the centre of eastern Victoria.

[2] This species has been declared an environmental weed in the Geelong area, the catchments of the Broken and Goulburn rivers and the Wimmera bioregion.

It is believed to be a threat to several natural vegetation associations and forms dense stands in native pastures.