Melicope degeneri is a small, long-lived perennial shrub in the Rutaceae (rue) family. New growth has dense yellowish brown tomentose (covered with densely matted woolly hairs) pubescence. The leathery leaves are opposite, elliptic, slightly pubescent on the lower surface, and measure 6 to 9 cm (2.4 to 3.5 in) long and 2 to 6 cm (0.8 to 2.4 in) wide. Primary lateral veins are usually in pairs of 12 to 15 and are inconspicuous. Flowers are born on axillary cymes, capsules are cuboid, measuring about 9 mm (0.4 in) long and wide, and seeds are about 4.5 mm (0.2 in) long.