A variable bushy and prickly shrub to 4 m tall. Phyllodes needle-like, 1-1.5 cm long, 1-2 mm wide, whorled or occasionally alternate, stiff. Flower clusters 1-3 per axil, pale yellow. Flower heads shortly cylindrical. Flowers 4-parted; spring. Fruit pods 3-8 cm long, 3-4 mm wide, flat to curved and slightly constricted between the seeds.

A. triptera Benth., Spur-wing Wattle, from Qld, NSW and Vic has curved, extremely sharp phyllodes that extend down the stem.

SA.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Mimosaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.