Mimetes chrysanthus (also called golden pagoda) is an evergreen, upright shrub of 1½–2 m (5–6½ ft) high that has been assigned to the family Proteaceae.

[2][3] Mimetes chrysanthus is an evergreen, upright, sparingly branching shrub of 1½–2 m (5–6½ ft) high, with a single main trunk of 4–6 cm (1⅔–2⅓ in) thick at its base.

From this trunk develop stiff, upright branches of about 2 cm (¾ in) thick, covered by smooth grey bark.

The leaves are set alternately along the branches, lack stipules but are narrowed at their base to a stalk of 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long.

The 4-merous perianth is bright yellow, 2½–2¾ mm (1.0–1.1 in) long, straight when still in bud, curving towards the stem when the flower opens but star-symmetrical thereafter.

The segments in the upper part (or limbs), which enclosed the pollen presenter in the bud, are hairless, line-shaped with a pointy tip and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long.

[2] Unexpectedly, the new and very conspicuous golden pagoda was discovered in 1987 by one of the gamekeepers at the Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve, Mr. Willie Julies.

In Gamka it grows on steep, well-drained and nutrient-poor sandy slopes that face the summer winds that bring some rain and mist, though most precipitation fall during the winter, averaging 400–450 mm (15–18 in).

[2][5] The flowers are visited both by carpenter bees such as Xylocopa capensis, orange-breasted sunbirds and Cape sugarbirds, and produce copious amounts of nectar.