Polystepha galls on the lower leaf vein angles of Quercus shumardii, overtaking the domatia, though hairs are often visible around the base of the gall. They have a typical Polystepha texture on the bottom, with a fissured and segmented hairless brown-tan surface. They are subglobular and often confluent with neighboring galls, creating irregularly round shapes. On the upper side of the leaf, a flat and shiny scar appears. Old galls observed in Texas in December.

A gall observed on Quercus rubra in Texas is similar but not limited to vein angles. This may or may not be the same species.

A similar gall observed on Quercus marilandica in Texas had more distinct faceting. This may or may not be the same species.

A similar gall has been observed on the upper side of Quercus nigra vein angles. Polystepha podagrae is known to make slightly smaller galls on veins and angles of Quercus ilicifolia and velutina.