The intricately branched spreading shrub typically grows to a height of 0.6 to 2 metres (2.0 to 6.6 ft). A very dense and impenetrable species due to its extremely prickly foliage. The leaves are rigid, 4–10 cm (2–4 in) long, prominently grooved and narrow with 5-7 sharply toothed lobes. It blooms from August to October and produces large scented white to cream flowers in clusters in the leaf axils. They may appear in a raceme of up 22 flowers. The smooth to roughish fruit are ovoid 2 cm (0.8 in) long by 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide with two distinct slightly incurving beaks.[3][4]
Taxonomy and naming
This species was formally described by Robyn Mary Barker in 1990.[2] It is named from the Latin horridus- prickly, referring to the extremely sharp point on the leaf.[3]