It is a graceful, pendulous shade tree, which grows from about 4 to 16 metres (13 to 52 ft) tall[5] and has a trunk with a diameter of up to about 0.45 m.[6] It has a spreading crown that becomes weeping as the tree matures.[1] Young plants have rigid branches and short straight phyllodes that appear in clusters. As trees mature the branches become pendulous and the light green, spiky phyllodes increase in length but are no longer clustered.[1] It has a heavy bloom of spherical pale yellow flowers after winter rains.
The tree has a slow growth rate and is both drought and frost tolerant.[1]
The species was first formally described by botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1882 as part of the work Definitions of some new Australian plants as published in Southern Science Record. It was reclassified as Racosperma estrophiolatumbyLeslie Pedley in 1987 then returned to the genus Acacia in 2001.[2]
It is usually found in areas with about 220–350 mm/year of average rainfall.[6]
A. estrophiolata grows mostly on sandy alluvial flats in sandy well drained soils, found as scattered trees among tall open shrubland and open woodland communities.[5]
The gum is snapped off the branches, either clear or red. It is then ground and mixed with a little water, then left to set again to a chewable gum, and eaten with a small stick.
Parts of the tree are used topically to treat skin problems such as burns, cuts, scabies, sores and it is also used for treating major wounds. It is used as a lotion to treat eye problems.[8][9]
