Whitethorn acacia is not listed as a dominant plant or habitat type indicator in any published classifications. Whitethorn acacia is poor forage for livestock. Palatability of pods is unclear. Nutritional information concerning whitethorn acacia is lacking. Whitethorn acacia presumably provides cover for birds and small to medium sized mammals.
Plants provide shade for domestic and wild animals.
Whitethorn acacia is an invader of semidesert grasslands and has increased in density on grazing lands. It is considered a range pest because it reduces forage for livestock and makes moving and handling cattle more difficult. Numerous herbicides have been used for brush control in the Southwest. The leaves are bipinnately compound with 3 to 6 pair of pinnae per leaf. Whitethorn acacia reproduces sexually by producing an abundance of seed.