The dwarf suffrutex, which is normally less than 200 mm tall, has a fascinating growth pattern, generating dense carpets by the spread of a vast underground stem and root network. Its small appearance conceals its tenacity and adaptability, demonstrating a distinct botanical strategy for survival and reproduction. The leaves have an eye-catching bicolored appearance, with a glossy white-silver underside that contrasts sharply with the rich green-grey colour on top. The leaves are distinctly inward folding, with their bases and tips gently rounded. They are simple in structure, arranged alternately along the stem. The leaves are held up by short, velvety hairy petioles. These hairs are also noticeable on younger foliage, giving the foliage a velvety texture and adding to the plant's overall visual appeal. During spring, in the months of September and October, inflorescences appear both terminally and axially, frequently near ground level, adding to the plant's subtle yet intricate appearance.

The yellowish flowers, despite their diminutive size, convey an understated elegance with their delicate white petals, while the thickly hairy, sand-coloured calyx protects against environmental pressures. This plant produces oval or spherical fruit that has a scaly texture, so that it is rough to the touch. The fruit is a drupe, borne at the tips of the branches and ripens completely in about a year. These plum-like fruits, are around 50 mm long and have edible golden flesh. When fully mature, they become pleasantly sweet, and they typically ripen on the ground in early summer, between October and January.

This species stands out due to its completely different growth habit, which highlights the fascinating diversity within the genus and the subtle adaptations plants use to thrive in a variety of ecological niches. It shares striking similarities with its close relative, Parinari curatellifolia, particularly in foliage and floral characteristics.