Berzelia cordifolia is an evergreen shrub that grows about 0.6 m tall, with erect branches that are hairy when still young. The leaves are short, reflexed, subcordate to ovate (almost shaped like a heart or egg shaped). These 4 mm long, coriaceous (leathery) leaves have broad petioles that are persistent (do not fall). The margins of the leaves are maroon on young leaves and become pale when older. These leaves are callous (hardened) at the tip, with a black, short, sharp point at the tip.

The flower heads are white to pale sulphur-yellow, solitary, at the tips of the branches, rounded (shaped almost like a small ball) and scaly. The stalks of the flower heads grow upwards, each to approximately the same height of up to 25 mm long, so that they are presented in a flattish cluster (corymbose). In each corymb there is more than 2 flower heads and as many as 12. The receptacle, where the flowers are attached, is covered with rough, thick, shaggy hairs. Bracts are hairy, obtuse, having a shape of a hood, with a hard, short, sharp point or tip. Petals are pure white, spreading, with a rectangular to spoon-like shape, broad at the apex and narrow at the base. The sulphur-yellow anthers are linear-oblong (in a straight rectangular shape). Berzelia cordifolia flowers in spring, from September to October. The gibbous fruits remain intact, keeping their tight, ball-like shape, and do not release the seeds even in maturity.