It grows as a dense shrub in space or as a tall erect tree when part of a thicket.

When the leaves and young stems are bruised they release a spicy perfume from which the plant is recognised to be a member of the family Myrtaceae.

The flowers produced by T. juniperina occur between February and November and are described as upright whitish spikes.

[4] The species is distinguished from other members of the genera by its tree habit and the leaves which are typically 7 to 13 millimetres (0.28 to 0.51 in) length and usually flat to very slightly concave above and convex below.

[5] The tree prefers margins of winter-wet or permanent swamps or watercourses, but grows in a range of soil types from loam and peat to sand and gravel.