A relatively slow growing tree native to the eastern states of Australia (rainfall 400 - 650 mm; altitude 90 - 350 m) and grows from 6 - 12 m. It prefers good clay or black soil and access to groundwater.
It is eaten readily by sheep and cattle and is thought to be more palatable and nutritious than mulga (Acacia aneura). The heartwood is heavy, hard, close grained and dark brown, and is suited to turnery and craft wood. It is used for fence posts and is also an excellent firewood. It often forms pure stands on heavy soils adjacent to watercourses but also grows as a companion to: Acacia cambagei, Acacia harpophylla, Acacia salicina, Acacia stenophylla, Acacia omalophylla, Atalaya hemiglauca, Atriplex nummularia, Cassia spp, Casuarina cristata, Eremophila spp, Eucalyptus largiflorens; Eucalyptus melanophloia, Eucalyptus microtheca, Eucalyptus orgadophila, Eucalyptus populnea, Eucalyptus woollsiana and Flindersia maculosa.