Senegalia ferruginea is a spiny, deciduous tree, it usually grows up to 12 meters tall. The slender branches are armed with conical spines, the bole is also armed until it reaches about 15cm in diameter. Leaves are alternately arranged, double-compound. prickles twin.

Flowers are pale yellow in numerous lax axillary spikes about 14 cm long, which are often panicled at the end of the branches. Pods are smooth, contain a dry sweetish pulp, dark brown and pinnately splitting, 3 to 7 seeded. Seeds are flat ovate, oblong, distinctly stalked, and this is a diagnostic feature, greenish to brown.