The range of natural distribution is in various rainforest types from the Nambucca River (30° S) in New South Wales to the Atherton Tableland (17° S) in tropical Queensland.

[citation needed] A medium to large tree, up to 40 metres tall and 75 cm in trunk diameter.

Leaves alternate and variable in shape, simple or pinnatifid, the leaf margins wavy.

Leaves are characteristic and easily identified as part of the Protea family.

The ornamental flowers are bright red in umbels, in a circular formation, hence the name Firewheel Tree.