D. desiccata takes its common name from its resemblance to dead, leafy vegetation including having a flattened, greatly extended thorax and "intricate leaf patterns" on its wings.
This insect varies in color from mottled brown through "pale orangey brown" to a very dark brown that is almost black.
Size: Females grow to 75–80 mm long. Displaying the sexual dimorphism typical of mantises, males grow only 65–70 mm long.
