A Tree 15-20 m high tree with a dense spherical crown, Stems and branchlets are usually dark to black colored, fissured bark with grey-pinkish slash, exuding a reddish low quality gum. Thin, straight, light grey spines in axillary pairs, usually in 3 to 12 pairs, 5 to 7.5 cm long in young trees but mature trees are commonly without thorns.