Herbaceous perennial shrub to over 1 m tall. Leaflets 9-17, oblong, elliptic to lanceolate; stipules to 1 cm. Flowers in long spikes. Corolla about 1 cm long, white to lavender; summer. Fruit pod to about 5 cm long.

Once used medicinally in various ways, traditionally as a tea to promote milk flow of feeding mothers. It was also once used as food for livestock, although sheep poisoning is reported.

W Asia, Europe.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Fabaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.