An erect undershrub with cæspitose branched or simple stems densely clothed with spreading grey down. Stipules linear-subulate, 1/4– 3/8 in. Petioles 1/4– 1/2 in., rigidly erecto-patent. Leaves all digitately trifoliolate; leaflets oblanceolate, reaching 2–3 in. long, 1/2– 7/8 in. broad, blunt, rigidly coriaceous, very pale green, glabrous above, permanently clothed with thick adpressed grey velvety pubescence beneath, the veins immersed. Flowers 12–30 in dense terminal heads sometimes extending into the axils of the upper leaves. Bracts linear, silky, 1/4– 3/8 in. Pedicels 1–2 lines, stiff, ascending. Calyx 3/8 in. long, densely silky, the upper teeth at least as long as the tube, the lower longer and reaching down deeper. Corolla violet-purple, 3/4– 7/8 in.; standard 3/4 in. broad, densely silky on the back. Pod subligneous, 2 in. long, 3/8 in. broad, 7–8-seeded, persistently grey-velvety, the sutures tawny. Style bearded throughout especially along the inner edge.
