Brachyglottis laxifolia is a hardy slow growing evergreen open pale-grey, tomentose shrub growing up to 1 m tall. The leaves (2-6 x 1-2 cm) have slightly wavy margins and become glabrous above.

Brachyglottis laxifolia will develop daisy-like flowers in January to February. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects. The seeds ripen from February to March. It is endemic to the mountains of northwest Nelson, South Island from 9oo – 1500 m.a.s.l.