[1] This species used to be classified as Mimosa biuncifera but it was found that phenotypic variations occurred across its range and a new taxonomy was proposed by Rupert C. Barneby in 1986, splitting the species into Mimosa aculeaticarpa var.

[4] This species is a straggly, much branched, deciduous shrub of up to two metres tall.

It has slender, zigzag, dark coloured twigs clad in backward pointing prickles.

The globular flowers are creamy-white and cover the bush in the spring.

The seed pods are brick red and flattened, with prickly edges.