Acacia rigens, commonly known as nealie, is an erect or spreading shrub or small tree that is endemic to Australia.

[2][3] Other common names include needle wattle, needlebush acacia, nealia and nilyah.

The simple inflorescences have resinous and spherical flower-heads with a diameter of 4 to 7 mm (0.16 to 0.28 in) and contain 20 to 30 bright yellow coloured, 5-merous flowers that appear between July and December in the species' native range, followed by curled, twisted or coiled seed pods which are 4 to 10 cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) long and 2 to 3 mm (0.079 to 0.118 in) wide.

[3][4] The species is fast-growing and is both frost and drought tolerant, rarely requiring watering after establishment.

It is adaptable to most soils and is best suited to a position in full sun or light shade.