Tufted perennial with sandpapery stems up to 30cm. Leaves thread-like, grass-like, up to 20cm long, silky at the base; dense heads of pink, purple or white flowers, purplish styles; bracts rough and sticky. This species very similar to Corymbium africanum subsp. scabridum var. scabridum except for the leaves which in this species are needle or grass-like.

Latin gramen, grass: refering to the grass-like leaves.