Banksia lepidorhiza is a prostrate shrub that typically grows to a width of  with underground stems and a lignotuber. It has dull green, pinnatipartite leaves with between fifteen and twenty-five linear, sharply pointed lobes on each side.
Banksia lepidorhiza is a sprawling, ground-hugging shrub that usually reaches a width of  with concealed roots and a subterranean root system. It has muted green, divided leaves with between fifteen and twenty-five thin, sharply pointed divisions on each side.