A small, fast growing, nitrogen fixing, semi - deciduous tree or sprawling shrub, reaching a height of 4 - 15 m on favourable sites. It is a short - lived tree and is killed by fire. It occurs naturally in coastal areas of south western Western Australia, but has become naturalised in other areas of Australia, in the warm temperate and subtropical climatic zones, at altitudes of up to 200 m. The preferred average annual rainfall is 650 - 1120 mm, and it is moderately frost tolerant.
It grows mostly on soils derived from granite and also on sandy and clay soils. It is moderately drought resistant and tolerates seasonally waterlogged and infertile soils. It is also limestone tolerant and is moderately resistant to salty winds, but needs protection from winds in exposed coastal areas.
A. lophantha grows naturally in open eucalypt forest, woodland, open shrubland and also along river banks and around swampy areas. It occurs alongside Eucalyptus cornuta, Eucalyptus lehmannii, Acacia acuminata, Agonis marginala and Callibris preissii.
The fast growing capacity of Albizia lophantha makes it a good species for rehabilitation of sand dunes and soil stabilisation as well as for shelterbelts. Cattle browse the leaves, so it has potential as a fodder tree. The wood is soft and therefore unsuitable for fuel or constructional uses. The roots have a 10% saponin content and are utilised in silk and wood factories.
Propagation is by scarified seed.