Phylica gnidioides is a compact, many branched, rounded shrub, up to 900 mm high and with a 1 m spread. The leaves are dark grey-green, linear, 8–10 mm long, smooth above with the edges of leaves rolled under towards the midrib. The flower heads (capitula) are composed of about 7 or 8, tubular, pink, 10 mm long flowers, densely grouped at the tips of the stems. The flowers are unusual as they are made up of sepals rather than petals. In this species the sepals are fused together into a calyx, forming a lovely pink star, whereas, the petals are insignificant and inserted in the mouth of the tube. These beautiful flowers are covered with fine, soft hairs. It flowers in autumn and winter, from May to July.