 Banksia caleyi grows as a many-branched bushy shrub to 2 m (7 ft) in height, with crumbly grey bark. Rarely, plants of up to 4 m (13 ft) have been found. The new growth is hairy, and generally occurs in summer. The branchlets become smooth after around two years. The stiff leaves are narrowly wedge-shaped (cuneate) and measure 5 – 14 cm (2 – 5 1 ⁄ 2 in) in length by 1.3 – 2.4 cm (1 ⁄ 2 – 1 in) wide. The leaf margins are serrated, with many teeth measuring 0.4 – 0.6 cm (1 ⁄ 8 – 1 ⁄ 4 in) each.
