Acacia ligulata is a species of Acacia, a dense shrub widespread in all states of mainland Australia. It is not considered rare or endangered. Common names include sandhill wattle, umbrella bush, marpoo, dune wattle, small coobah, watarka, and wirra. The genus Acacia is derived from the Greek akakia, referring to sharp thorns. The shape of the phyllodes named the species ligulata, meaning strap-like or with a small tongue in Latin.