It is a low growing shrub, reaching a height of around 2 metres.

[1] This species has a divaricating habit that lasts for the life of the shrub unlike other New Zealand Sophora species which lose the divaricating habit as adult trees.

[2][page needed] The leaves of this species are usually quite small, up to about 2 cm in length.

[3] Flowers are often orange though they do occur as yellow in common with most other kōwhai species.

This contrasts with other native New Zealand Sophora species whose seeds are yellow.