An erect shrub, usually 100-300 cm tall, branches often dark red, young parts densely hairy, rootstock thickened. Leaves 1-foliolate, sometimes mixed with 3-foliolate leaves, stipules narrowly triangular, 2-15 mm long, leaflets very variable in size and shape, 4-20 cm x 2.5-13 cm, chartaceous to coriaceous, upper surface continuously appressed-pubescent, lower surface densely velutinous, lateral veins 8-10, extending to the margin. Inflorescence terminal and axillary, racemose or paniculate, up to 20 cm long; flowers in clusters of 2-5, calyx 4-lobed, densely hairy, corolla pink, purple, blue or reddish-violet, androecium diadelphous; Pod (1-)1.6-2.5 cm x 2.2-3.5 mm, (3-)5-7-jointed, articles broadly oblong, densely covered with hairs. Seeds very broadly or depressed ovate, 1.3-1.6 mm x 1.8-2.5 mm.

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Leaves and roots may be chewed (not swallowed) to relieve toothache. Squeezed leaves are chewed with salt to treat diarrhoea.