Erect sturdy, shrub or small tree up to 4m with strong twisted branches. Leaves are 3-nate, slightly open-backed; flowers are conical, white, finely hairy and with small spreading lobes; scented.

Both the common name and the specific name are very apt, Water Heath, alludes to its preferred habitat near or in water;  caffra = the breadth of its distribution (caffer = South African).