Rounded shrublet up to 70cm, many-stemmed, resprouting from a persistent rootstock. Alternate, linear-lanceolate, rough leaves are 7-15mm long, leaf margins rolled under; leaves are subtended by small dry stipules; bears solitary, rounded heads of small, honey-scented pink flowers that are densely white-woolly on the outside.

Greek: trikhome = any outgrowth of the epidermis such as hairs, scales or prickles, cephale = head, -alis = resembling; referring to the hairy, inflorescence heads of this species.

Common names Hondegesiggie, Dogface, are a fanciful allusion to the resemblance of the fruits to the face of a dog.