It is distinguished by its short, thick leaves and small but profuse heads of white or cream flowers.

Melaleuca pauperiflora is a large shrub or small tree growing to a height of about 6 m (20 ft) with rough or fibrous grey bark.

Flowering occurs in spring and early summer and is followed by fruit which are woody, barrel-shaped capsules more or less scattered along the branches.

[6][7] Melaleuca pauperiflora was first formally described in 1862 by Ferdinand von Mueller in "Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae"[8] from a specimen collected by George Maxwell in the Phillips Range.

[6][7][12] Jewel beetles (Family Buprestidae), especially Temognatha heros are important pollinators of Melaleuca pauperiflora.