Plant: Perennial 3-24 dm, green, glabrous to hairy; stem erect

Leaves: cauline; stipules 5-10 mm; petiole 4-20 cm; leaflets 5-11, 40-100 mm, upper surface glabrous to hairy, lower surface ± hairy

INFLORESCENCE: raceme, 16-60 cm, open; peduncle 8-20 cm; pedicel 2-12 mm; flowers whorled or not; bracts 8-12 mm, deciduous

Flowers: 8-18 mm; calyx 2-lipped, upper lip 5-10 mm, entire to 2-toothed, lower lip 4-8 mm, entire or notched; petals blue or purple to white; banner centrally grooved, sides reflexed, back glabrous, patch generally white to yellowish turning purple, wing tips slightly fused, upper keel margins ciliate from claw to middle, lower keel margins generally ciliate; stamens 10, filaments fused, 5 long with short anthers, 5 short with long anthers; style brushy

Fruit: legume, dehiscent, 2-4.5 cm, ± densely hairy; Seeds 6-10, 3-4 mm, mottled dark brown

Misc: Generally moist areas in woodlands, shady to open areas; < 3500 m.