Silvery, silky single-stemmed shrub or tree growing up to 4m tall. Leaves 2-5cm long, oval-pointed, grey-green with sparse hairs above but dense with silky hairs below. Flowers are showy, mauve to pink with a white centre, sweet scented; the flower bud is covered with a hood which breaks away as the flower opens. Pods hairy and inflated.

Greek: kalyptrata = covering: referring to the hood or cap protecting the flower when in bud.