River bottlebrush is a large shrub which grows from 2 to 10 metres tall with smaller individuals having smooth bark, and larger individuals having papery bark. It has narrow green leaves and cream, bottlebrush-like flowers which flower from November to February.

The Wurundjeri-woiwurrung would suck the sweet nectar from the flowers.

It grows best in very wet to moist, heavy clay soil in full sun to semi shade. As its common name suggests, it grows best near waterways such as rivers.