Large shrub or tree, 2–15 m high; bark soft, papery and readily peeling; branchlets flexuous, new growth purplish pink. Leaves narrowly elliptic to narrowly ovate, 4–14 cm long, 5–16 mm wide, acute, attenuate at apex and base, midrib and lateral veins distinct, oil glands distinct or obscure. Flower spike 4–5 cm long, 2–3.5 cm wide; axis glabrous or sparsely hairy; hypanthium 2.5–3.5 mm long, glabrous; stamens 12–15 mm long, filaments creamy green to yellow or white, anthers yellow. Capsules 4–5 mm long and wide. Flowers Sep.–Dec.
VVP, VRiv, MuF, GipP, OtP, Gold, CVU, NIS, HSF, VAlp. Native along the eastern coast of Australia from central Queensland to southern New South Wales, commonly cultivated, recorded as naturalised at a few sites in Victoria, generally growing near streams and rivers.