Dense isolated stands are typical of this species. Dioecious shrub or small tree up to 4m, with a stout trunk. Leaves linear-oblanceolate with sharpish tips, hairless when mature. Female cones are about 40mm long and about 30mm in diameter and are held on the bush for a number of years. This phenomenon, know as serotiny, ensures that seeds are protected within the canopy of the plant until fire, when the mother bush is killed and cones open within a few days to be released into the nutrient rich post-fire soil.

This species was once widespread on the Cape Flats where its habitat has been lost to urban sprawl.