[2] It is a medium-sized shrub with sharp-pointed, needle-like leaves and bright red bottlebrush flower spikes.

Melaleuca orophila is a shrub growing to 2 m (7 ft) tall with hard, fissured bark and rigid branches.

[3] Callistemon teretifolius was first formally described in 1853 by botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in the journal Linnaea.

[7][8] Callistemon teretifolius is regarded as a synonym of Melaleuca orophila by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

[3] Melaleuca orophila is classified as "vulnerable" by the Government of South Australia Department for Environment and Heritage.