Pterocaulon sphacelatum is a small understory, perennial herb or shrub to 20–100 cm (7.9–39.4 in) high, stiff upright stems and covered with short brownish woolly or short, matted dense hairs.

The solitary flower heads are oval to globe-shaped, 0.8–2 cm (0.31–0.79 in) long, 10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in) in diameter, sessile or on stalk.

Flowering occurs from July to October and the fruit is a brown spindle-shaped achene about 0.7–2 mm (0.028–0.079 in) long, covered in about 15-20 bristles and slightly ribbed.

[5][6] The specific epithet (sphacelatum) means "brown or blackish speckling".

[7] Applebush grows in a variety of habitats, mostly on occasional flooded locations, disturbed sites including roadsides in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory.