An erect herb with imparipinnate leaves, branching, with scattered spreading hairs on stems, rachises, and peduncles; leaves 5-10 cm long; stipules semisagittate, about 1 cm long; leaflets numerous, 15-30 pairs, linear-oblong, glaucous beneath, 10-15 mm long, rounded at tip; flowers few in racemes, pale yellow; pedicels with 2 bracteoles at base of calyx; bracts like the stipules; flower c. 1 cm long; calyx bilabiate, deeply cleft; pods linear, flat, 6-8-jointed, with a central prominent rugosity on each joint. (Stone, 1970)

Spermicidal (50% EtOH extract of plant).

Tropical Forages
USF Herbarium

Alkaloids (seed); reynoutrin flavonoid (leaf).

Spermicidal, contains an unidentified alkaloid. Used as charcoal for gun powder and medicinal applications; used to treat gastritis and fever in Chinese traditional medicine.

Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.