Grevillea alpina

There is considerable variation in the form, leaves and flowers of the species. Plants are between 0.3 and 2 metres (0.98 and 6.56 ft) in height. The leaves may be linear, oblong or elliptic and are generally between 0.5 and 2 centimetres (0.20 and 0.79 in) long and 1.5 to 4 millimetres (0.059 to 0.157 in) wide. Both surfaces of leaves may or may not have hairs. The leaf edges may be curved backwards or revolute.

Flower colour is one of the most variable characteristics. The main colour of the perianth may be red, orange or pink or more rarely yellow or cream. There is often a transition of colour along the length of the perianth leading to commonly seen red-yellow or red-cream combinations. The main months of flowering are from August to December in the species' native range. The flowers are followed by hairy, leathery, ovoid fruits (follicles) that are between 8.5 and 12 millimetres (0.33 and 0.47 in) long. These split open, releasing winged seeds.