It is also found in the desert areas of inland Australia; southern part of the Northern Territory, north-eastern South Australia and in southwest Queensland. It is quite common throughout the Simpson Desert. It is found in a range of soil types including stony loam, sandy loam or clay-loam. The shrub is often part of in tall open shrubland or open low woodland communities containing various "Acacia"s and "Eucalyptus" species as well as spinifex and grassland communities. Sometimes small dense regrowth stands following fire will form. "A. dictyophleba" has potential as an ornamental with its impressive flowering and attractive foliage. It is also a fast growing tree that is also nitrogen fixing as well as frost and drought tolerant. The seeds are edible and the phyllodes can be chewed like tobacco. The phyllodes can be brewed to make tea which can be used to treat colds and headaches. The bark contains tannins and are astringent and can be used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. The wood can be used as a fuel and to make fence posts.