Like Sheoaks, the mature plant does not have true leaves but has leaf-like flattened stems called phyllodes. These are very rigid, about 20 mm long and have a very sharp point.

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The spiky foliage allows smaller birds like New Holland Honey Eaters to get away from larger aggressive birds such as parrots and wattle birds.

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Aboriginal Australians used to strip the fibre from the plant to make fishing lines.