Prostrate densely matted shrubs 0.1– 0.2 × 2–5 m. Branches numerous, long-trailing, leading shoots prostrate. Mature twigs with dark silver-grey to almost black, rather corky bark, this long persistent, eventually cracking radially and shedding in small tabular shards; inner bark dark green when exposed. Adult leaves dimorphic; those in sunny conditions with blades 3.5–12 × 1.5–2.5(– 3.5) mm, those in shaded sites up to 20 × 4.5 mm; both types broadly elliptic to oblanceolate, dark green, glossy. Drupes uniformly cream to pale lemon when fresh.

A C. obconica Kirk subsp. obconica habitu prostrato serpente et fructibus immaculatis cremeis vel citrinis pallentibus et ad solum ultramaficum limitata differt.