This outstanding fodder tree is native to all states of Australia except Victoria and Tasmania and survives annual rainfalls between 200 - 500 mm. Some trees are straight trunked (to 9 m) while those growing in extreme conditions remain a shrub. It prefers red clayey loams or red sands for best growth but will survive most soil types. It can withstand some frost.
A daily ration of 1.4 kg of mulga leaf supplies sheep with sufficient protein (12%), calcium and vitamin A. The mulga diet needs supplementing with foods containing sulphur and phospho-rous.
The wood has striking colour and is used as a craft wood. It turns well and takes a high polish. It is one of the hardest woods in the world and is used for fence posts, mine timbers and other structural posts. It is a useful firewood that burns quickly and leaves no coals.
In the wild it grows as a companion to Eucalyptus spp, other Acacia spp, Atriplex spp Maireana spp, Eragrostis spp, Triodia spp and Aristidia spp.