[5] Common names in various languages include doringboom, soetdoring, cassie, piquants blancs, cassie piquants blancs, deo-babool, doorn boom, kaludai, kikar, mormati, pahari kikar, umga and udai vel.

Sometimes an attractive reddish colour can be seen in the deep bark fissures The leaves are finely textured and dark green.

Everywhere in its range, however, the tree is easily recognised by its distinctive long white paired thorns and coffee coloured bark, both of which are very attractive.

Vachellia karroo has a life span of 30–40 years and is an adaptable pioneer, able to establish itself without shade, shelter or protection from grass fires.

This tree has a long taproot which enables it to use water and nutrients from deep underground, this and its ability to fix nitrogen, lead to grasses and other plants thriving in its shade.

V. karroo is used for chemical products, forage, domestic uses, environmental management, fibre, food, drink, and wood.

The tough wood is white to slightly yellowish in colour, rarely producing dark brown heartwood.

It is widely cultivated in Asia, Australia, the Mediterranean region, India and the Indian Ocean area.

As is common in acacias, edible gum seeps from cracks in the tree's bark, and is an important part of the bushbaby's winter diet.

[10] The gum, bark and leaves have been used as a soothing agent and astringent for colds, conjunctivitis and hemorrhage in other regions of Southern Africa.

Karroo is one of the old spellings of karoo which cannot be corrected because of the laws governing botanical nomenclature (giving of names).