Coddia rudis is a dense multi-stemmed shrub which grows up to 3 m in height. The main stem is usually short, with arching branches. It grows stiffly upwards, outwards and finally downwards. The bark is dark grey and has no spines. It forms a compact shrub if browsed.

The leaves are opposite or borne in dense clusters on dwarf side twigs. The leaves are simple, broadly obovate, 20 mm wide x 15 mm long, shiny dark green above, paler below, usually hairless, with entire margins, wavy, with round tips which can be notched or broadly tapering. The leaf base is narrowly tapering. The leaf stalks are up to 3 mm long.

The flowers are fragrant, small, up to 10-15 mm in diameter, bell-shaped with 5 lobes, white turning yellow with age, and borne in axillary groups in the leaf axils. They appear just as the new leaves start sprouting in spring (October).

The fruits are greenish-brown, roundish and up to 8 mm in diameter. They are crowned with the remains of the calyx. Fruiting takes place from January to June.