Madras Leaf-Flower is an erect or spreading subshrub, growing to only 50 cm tall, well-branched and hairless. Leaves are arranged in 2-ranks - they are inverted lance-shaped or obovate, 1–4 cm long, up to 5 mm wide. Underside is glaucous, tip is blunt or rounded with a sharp point. Stipules have white margins. Male flowers arise 2 or 3 together with 1 female. Male flowers are on stalks up to 0.5 mm long, female flowers are on longer stalks. up to 1 mm long. Female flower petals are obovate with white margins, 2 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, twice the size of the male petals. Capsule is about 3 mm in diameter, with seeds 1–1.5 mm long.