A shrub or small tree found in deciduous woodlands, ranging from southern and tropical Africa to India and Australia. With such a wide distribution, it is not surprising that it has a wide variety of forms. It forms thickets where overgrazing has prevented veldt fires. Resembling an acacia, D. cinerea can be distinguished by several characteristics. The thorns are modified branchlets (the thorns of Acacia species are modified stipules). When in flower, the trees can be easily distinguished from acacias by their fluffy, bicolour inflorescences, which are composed of a basal, sterile, pinkish part and a fertile, yellow part. Flowering occurs from October-January. The pods are borne in clusters and are twisted in shape, another useful identifying characteristic. The crown is often umbrella-shaped and the trunk is often twisted and fissured, with the bark being dark grey-red-brown. Various parts of the tree are used medicinally. The leaves, for instance, are used to treat snakebite, toothache and sore eyes, as they are believed to have anaesthetic properties. Although rather scrappy in appearance, D. cinerea attracts insects and birds, such as warblers and robins and is therefore worth having in a garden. It grows from seed or cuttings, is very drought-resistant and withstands moderate frost.