It is a small to medium-sized tree up to 20 m (70 ft) high with a dense, rounded canopy and drooping branchlets.

These are ovoid, stalkless and 3 to 4 mm (0.1 to 0.2 in) in diameter [3]The species was first formally described in 1797 by botanist James Edward Smith in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London from plant material collected by David Burton near Port Jackson.

[5] The specific epithet (styphelioides) refers to the similarity of the leaves of this species with those of a plant in the genus Styphelia in the family Ericaceae.

[4] The species occurs along stream banks or other moist situations, mostly in coastal areas from Nowra in New South Wales and northwards in to Queensland.

[2] This melaleuca thrives in a variety of situations ranging from swampy to hot and dry, and due to its deep-rooting characteristics lawn can be grown under its canopy.