Podolobium procumbens is a low, spreading shrub to 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in) tall with smooth stems and forms a lignotuber.

The leaves may be arranged opposite or in whorls, oval-shaped, 1–2.5 cm (0.39–0.98 in) long, 6–18 mm (0.24–0.71 in) wide, upper surface smooth, wavy, shiny and veined, lower surface with occasional hairs, pointed at the apex on a petiole 3 mm (0.12 in) long.

The inflorescence are in small clusters at the end of branches or in leaf axils on a silky pedicel 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 in) long.

[3][4] Trailing shaggy-pea was first formally described in 1855 by botanist Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Oxylobium procumbens in Definitions of rare or hitherto undescribed Australian plants.

[9][10] Trailing shaggy-pea occurs in sclerophyll forests and woodland in Victoria and south-eastern New South Wales.