Prostrate, spreading shrub. Leaves simple, ovate to oblong, to about 10 cm long and 5 cm wide, margins entire or wavy. Flower clusters 1-sided to near cylindrical. Flowers pale red to maroon, sparsely hairy outside; mostly spring to early summer. Style red to dark red with green tips. Fruit hairy, striped or blotched.

This species forms natural hybrids with G. acanthifolia subsp. acanthifolia in the Blue Mtns and is referred to G. × gaudichaudii Gaud., which has 5-9 leaf segments.

NSW.

Source: Spencer, R.; Molyneux, B.; Mathews, D. (2002). Proteaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.