In warmer areas it evergreen tree with a spreading and weeping habit, in colder areas it tends to be deciduous.
As it ages it develops a wonderfully knarled trunks with lots of burls.
It has compound leaves consisting of pairs of narrow lanceolate leaflets. The leaves are aromatic and when crushed give off a strong fragrance with insect repellent qualities.
The flowers are tiny white and inconspicuous and appear in late spring in terminal clusters.
Weeping clusters of small red drupes appear in late summer, the quantity of fruit is very much dependent on the weather conditions - the drier the better.
The insect repellent quality of the leaves makes this a doubly effective shade tree. Often grown as a street tree, in coastal areas or in drought affected gardens.