Open, root-suckering shrub, 0.3–1.2 m high. Branchlet indumentum subsericeous to subtomentose. Leaves pinnatifid, (3–)5–11(–16)-lobed, ovate or rhombic to oblong in outline, 3–7 cm long, 1.3–4 cm wide; lobes spreading, usually simple, triangular to rounded, 6–15 mm long, 7–10 mm wide, occasionally the lower lobes bifid or bidentate; lower surface subsericeous to tomentose; margin slightly and shortly recurved. Conflorescences terminal or axillary, more or less erect, simple, secund, 2–4 cm long; peduncles 5–10 mm long, 1.2–1.3 mm wide; rachises tomentose or occasionally subsericeous; perianth light green ageing to reddish, subsericeous or loosely so outside, glabrous inside; pistil 18–26 mm long, ovary stipitate, subvillous, style yellow-green or pink in bud, reddening at anthesis, glabrous except at base, pollen presenter oblique. Fruits apparently not produced. Flowers Oct.–Dec.
GipP, OtP, OtR. Victorian endemic. Apparently now confined to hilly country in the Anglesea area. A mid-nineteenth century record from near Brighton (c. 100 km east of Anglesea) suggests a previous disjunct distribution. Grows in dry sclerophyll forest or woodland, usually in sandy or gravelly soils.
The species is consistently root-suckering in habit, has a high (more than 95%) percentage of sterile pollen, and apparently does not set fruit.
