Tall shrubs, usually 2-3 meters high. Branches greenish-grey to brown. Spines absent; only dark-grey to purpulish prickles present in the threes, usually the central prickle hooked downwards and the laterals curved up wards. Leaves pubescent; pinae usually 2 to 3 pairs, sometimes 4 pairs; leaflets 5-8 pairs per pinna, 3-5 x 1-3 mm. Petioles up to 1.5 cm long with a gland nearer to the base; rachis up to 2 cm long and with a terminal or subterminal gland and a pale, recurved prickle; rachillae also each with a pale, terminal or subterminal curved hook. Inflorescence pedunculate spikes up to 6 x 1.3 cm, white. Calyx about 2 mm long, campanulate, 5-dentate, pubescent. Corolla about 3.5 mm long, 5-lobed, the lobes ciliate-fringed. Pods flat, thin, glabrous, bright-green to yellowish-green to golden-yellow, prominently reticulate, oval to oblong, prominently margined, 3-8 cm long, usually 2-2.5 cm wide, dehiscent.