It is a fast-growing evergreen tree or shrub growing up to 30 metres (98 ft) tall,[5] typically a pioneer species after fire.

[9] Along with other bipinnate wattles, A. dealbata is classified in the section Botrycephalae within the subgenus Phyllodineae in the genus Acacia.

An analysis of genomic and chloroplast DNA along with morphological characters found that the section is polyphyletic, though the close relationships of many species were unable to be resolved.

[12] There are two subspecies:[13] The species is native to southeastern Australia in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory, and widely introduced in Mediterranean, warm temperate, and highland tropical landscapes.

[14] In moist mountain areas, a white lichen can almost cover the bark, which may contribute to the descriptor "silver".

[19][20] Acacia dealbata is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in warm temperate regions of the world,[3] and is naturalised in some areas, including Sochi (Black Sea coast of Russia), southwestern Western Australia, southeastern South Australia, Norfolk Island, the Mediterranean region from Portugal to Greece and Morocco to Israel, Yalta (Crimea, Ukraine), California, Madagascar,[21] southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe), the highlands of southern India,[14] south-western China and Chile.

It has a medium density (540–720 kg/m3), and is similar to its close relative blackwood, but of lighter tone without the dark heartwood.

[citation needed] Acacia dealbata is one of the most readily-available for use in Wattle Day celebrations or commercial bouquets.