It is a perennial large shrub that can grow up to 250-300 cm in height, in addition to producing yellow flowers between November and June (Jongbloed et al. 2003). This species is typically found growing in sandy plains and low dunes within the UAE (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It is often used in sand dune stabilisation and is a characteristic species of this environment (Karim and Dakheel 2006). Leptadenia pyrotechnica has been shown to have effective adaptations to low-moisture environments and is highly salt tolerant (Karim and Dakheel 2006); the root system allows the plant to survive on existing water in the soil for 4 years without any additional rainfall (Batanouny 2001). Other species, such as gazelles and oryx, use Leptadenia pyrotechnica to shelter from the sun during the day (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Gallacher and Hill 2005). L. pyrotechnica has also been noted as a potential larval food plant for the Plain Tiger butterfly (Gillett 1998). This plant also appears to co-exist with Rhanterium epapposum, which may suggest an association between the two (El Alqamy 2004).