Annual herb to 40 cm high, sparsely to densely pubescent with simple and forked hairs; stem ± erect, much branched. Leaves petiolate, elliptic, oblong or oblanceolate, 1–6(–10) cm long, 1–2.5(–3.5) cm wide; margins entire or lobed; base cuneate. Sepals 4–5 mm long; petals pink or purple, rarely white, (6.5–)8–10(–12) mm long. Fruit linear, straight, quadrangular, (2.5–)3.5–5.5(–7) cm long, pubescent; seeds oblong, 1–1.2 mm long.
Known in Victoria from a single historical record from Swan Hill, where it has apparently not persisted, nor is it likely to have ever truly naturalised.
Malcolmia flexuosa (Sibth. & Sm.) Sibth. & Sm. and M. africana have both been recorded in South Australia. Malcolmia flexuosa is distinguished from M. africana by its larger flowers with saccate sepals and curved fruits.
