Erect annual herb to about 1.5 m tall with thick, ridged to square stems. Leaves without tendrils. Leaflets 4-10, about 5-10 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, alternate or occasionally in pairs, oval to oblong, waxy-blue. Flowers to about 2.5 cm long, white with a purple spot. Fruit pod to about 20 cm long, hairy, at least at first.

Cultivated since prehistoric times and no longer known in the wild. Long-pod cultivars are used for early sowing and include 'Aquadulce'.

var. equina Pers., Pigeon Bean, is a small-seeded variety used as feed for racing pigeons.

SW Asia, N Africa.

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.