A perennial, woody climber, with stems up to 30 m long and up to 10 cm in diameter, initially grey to brown pubescent, later glabrescent, and with very large oblong tubers up to 2 m long and up to 45 cm in diameter. Leaves alternate, pinnately 3-foliolate; petiole 8-13(-21) cm long, rachis 1.5-7 cm long, both grey to golden-brown hairy, stipules peltate, up to 1.5(-2.5) cm long; leaflets ovate to orbicular, 8-26 cm x 5-22 cm, lateral leaflets oblique and often somewhat smaller than terminal leaflet, entire to 3-lobed, thinly appressed pubescent, petiolules 4-10 mm, stipels linear to lanceolate, up to 2(-3) cm long. Inflorescence a usually unbranched elongated pseudoraceme up to 35 cm long, with 3 flowers per node, bracts up to 10 mm long, early caducous, bracteoles up to 5 mm long, fairly persistent. Flowers bisexual, short-pedicelled; calyx campanulate with 5 unequal teeth, tube 3-5 mm long, teeth 4-9 mm long; corolla papilionaceous, petals up to 2.5 cm long, purplish to blue or pink, often with a yellow or green spot on vexillum; stamens 10, monadelphous or with one free stamen; ovary superior, elongated, 1-celled. Fruit a flattened oblong pod, 4-13 cm x 0.5-1.5 cm, straight to falcate, with golden-brown hairs, 5-15-seeded. Seeds flattened ovoid, 4-5 mm x 4 mm x 2 mm, red-brown with black mosaic.

Diaphoretic and febrifuge (flower buds)

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Genistein (leaf)

Tea from the tubers is used against colds, fever, influenza, diarrhea, dysentery and hang-overs. The flower buds are used in treating arrhythmias. The starch from the tuber is used medicinally in soup or tea to restore intestinal and digestive disorders. The extract is effective in lessening alcohol intoxication.