Emu bush is a highly variable species, ranging from a low shrub as wide as 3 metres, to an erect shrub of 1.5 metres in height. All forms of this species are sticky to touch, especially young growth. Emu bush is very drought tolerant. It has a long flowering season, from spring to autumn, and has reddish tubular flowers, which are particularly attractive to honeyeaters. In the Roxby Downs region the foliage is typically greyish.

Distribution of the Emu bush in Australia.