It is a native of the Mediterranean region from Spain to North Africa and as far east as India. It has become naturalized in North America, parts of New South Wales and South Australia. The seeds and young leaves appear to be poisonous. No stock deaths have been reported from Australia, however, there are reports of cattle deaths from the southern United States. It is eaten only sparingly by sheep and ignored by cattle and rabbits.
African rue competes strongly with other useful pasture species.
In South Australia it is a declared Pest Plant. It was first recorded there in 1943 and may have been introduced earlier in camel harness. It has spread to cover 400 square kilometres on three, pastoral stations and small infestations have been found elsewhere. Ecology African rue is a vigorous summer-growing shrubby plant with a perennial root system. It is very drought hardy.