Roots often form at the nodes of the spreading stems. Seeds germinate in the spring forming a dense matt of stem and leaf growth during summer if moisture is adequate. The top growth dies off in winter and the dormant plant is sustained by the fleshy taproot. New growth occurs in spring followed by flowers and seeds. Burrs are carried by stock, vehicles and in chaff and hay.
Khaki weed is a prostrate spreading plant with trailing red-purple stems covered with short hairs.
Leaves are round to oval, green with red-purple veins and short leaf stalks. It flowers in September to November. Clusters of inconspicuous white flowers are formed in the leaf axits. The characteristic burrs are prickly khaki coloured, stemless and formed in leaf axils. Numerous burrs are formed each about 10 cm in diameter and containing several nearly square seeds about 1 mm across.