Plants 1.5-4(-7) m. Leaves: petiole 0.5-1 mm; blade dark green adaxially, 1.8-5.5 × 0.8-2.3 cm, base cuneate, apex acute. Inflorescences recurved, unbranched. Flowers: sepals dark red, tomentose, lobes reflexed; corolla 7-9 mm; nectary disc crateriform; style elongate; stigma minute. Drupes 5-8 × 6-10 mm. Seeds ovoid. 2n = 26.

Flowering Dec-Jul. Chaparral, dry slopes; 0-700 m; Calif.; Mexico (Baja California).

Xylococcus bicolor has a limited distribution in southern California, occurring on the coastal plain and in the Peninsular and Transverse ranges of Los Angeles County to San Diego County, and on Santa Catalina Island.