This is a very thorny shrub to small tree with rounded or spreading flat crown which may reach down to ground level, occurring in bushveld and semi-desert areas, often on Kalahari sand and often growing in circular groups forming impenetrable thickets in overgrazed areas. The bark varies from light to dark grey and is longitudinally fissured; these fissures are generally darker. Thorns occur in pairs at nodes which are spaced at intervals of 5-15 mm, sometimes up to 30 mm. There are thus more thorns per unit length of branch than with other species. The thorns are hooked and blackish.

Leaves are twice compound, with 2-4 pairs of pinnae (primary divisions), leaflets 1-3 pairs per pinna, relatively large, 3,5-15 x 2-12 mm, petiolar gland present, glands present at base of at least upper pinna pair. There are 1-4 leaves per node. They are green initially, the same shade both above and below, but become glaucous when older. Main and lateral venation is visible on both surfaces. Leaflet margins are sparsely fringed with white hairs. The combined length of petiole (leaf stalk) plus rachis (the axis of a compound leaf) is up to 40 mm long. This stalk is sparsely pubescent, though sometimes glabrous on young plants, and is slender and light green. A petiole gland is usually present; the petiole is hairy.

Flowers usually appear in August or September before the tree comes into leaf and make an attractive show. A second flowering has been observed in March following heavy rains. The flowers are cream to white, but they take on a brownish hue when fading. They are sweetly scented. The pods develop rapidly after flowering has taken place. They are small, straw-coloured or pale brown, thin to almost papery, straight, smooth, dehiscent (opening spontaneously when ripe) and 25-80 x 13-25 mm (January-April).