Brachyglottis bidwillii forms a dwarf, slow growing, evergreen, compact shrub 30–90 cm high and a spread of 1.2m. The elliptic-oblong, shining dark green, leathery leaves are 1.9–3.8 cm long. The undersides of the leaves and stems are covered in white indumentum.

During January to February, it produces small, rayless flowerheads in panicles up to 5cm across in summer. Brachyglottis bidwillii is found in the subalpine scrub and fellfields of the central volcanoes of the North Island, New Zealand, and southwards to the Cook Straight. The variety Viridis is larger and is found in the South Island, where it is more common to the west of the Southern Alps. Brachyglottis bidwillii is frost hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -5°C.