Banksia shuttleworthiana is a low, spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of  and forms a lignotuber. It has thin, woolly-hairy stems with undeveloped flower heads. The leaves are linear, pinnatisect,  long and  wide on a petiole about  long.
In the context of horticulture, Banksia shuttleworthiana is a low-maintenance, spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of  and develops a lignotuber. Its slender stems have unripe flower heads, while its leaves are narrow and elongated on a petiole.