It is a shrub, sometimes a small tree, with decussate, egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and flowers with five petals and five stamens.

Thryptomene oligandra is a shrub that typically grows to a height of 1–5 cm (0.39–1.97 in), sometimes a poorly-formed tree.

[2] Thryptomene oligandra was first formally described in 1858 by Ferdinand von Mueller in the Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from specimens collected near the Gilbert River.

[4] This thryptomene grows in heath, forest and vine thickets on Cape York Peninsula and in north-east Queensland.

[2] Thryptomene oligandra is classified as of "least concern" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.