[3][4] Xanthosia atkinsoniana is an erect, perennial herb growing to 60 cm high.

They are dissected in threes with the segments often being divided again, and the lower surfaces have sparse stellate hairs.

[3] In Western Australia, it flowers from October to December, or January to April.

[1][2] The specific epithet, atkinsoniana, honours Louisa Atkinson who collected the type specimen: "In montibus coeruleis Novae Austro-Cambriae prope amnem Grose stirpem detexerunt L. Atkinson et W.

(L.Atkinson & W. Woolls detected it near the Grose River in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales).