It is a rigid and prickly shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.2 to 0.7 metres (0.7 to 2.3 ft) but can reach as high as 2 m (7 ft). It can have a scrambling, sprawling or tangled erect habit. The shrub has ridged stems and curving spine-tipped phyllodes that form continuous wings along the stem.
It produces globular, cream or yellow flowerheads between March to December in the species' native range.
After flowering it will produce quadrangular seed pods that are 3 to 7 centimetres (1.2 to 2.8 in) long with prominent ridges.