The species didn't survive well in areas of prolonged flooding and its spread inland was restricted by fire. Often found in nitrogen deficient soils in urban areas where the top-soil has been removed. For instance, with Acacia auriculaeformis , it dominates the pioneer vegetation in urban areas of Malaya. Site and climate Floristic region and vegetation types Coastal herbaceous swamp and broad-leaved hammock communities. In Malaya it does not appear to suffer from pests although it harbours Icerya purchasi , a pest of orange and lemon.
Many pathogens threaten extensive plantations in many parts of the world.
In India a stem borer kills shoots and seedling damping-off by Rhizoctonia spp. In Puerto Rico natural regeneration is rare because ants eat nearly all the seeds. In Florida its roots can prevent turtles from digging nests for their eggs, and sometimes turtles are trapped by the roots. On coastal areas subject to wave erosion, toppled trees act as groynes, increasing loss of sand. Under the dense shade cast by C. equisetifolia canopy a thick mat of twigs is formed which prevents regeneration.