Many Phylica axillaris upper stems bear clusters of nearly white flowers, although new leaf and stem growth may exceed the inflorescences soon enough, continuing up after the blooming season.

Apart from spreading and ascending, leaves may also curve in slightly along their main axes. Upper leaves are a tad paler than the generally dark green of the majority of upper blade surfaces (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; Gledhill, 1981; iNaturalist).