Climbing or prostrate herb, 0.6–2.1 m long, arising from a perennial tuberous rootstock. Stems annual, slender, moderately to densely appressed or spreading pubescent. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets 0.9–7.2 × 0.5–4.6 cm, ovate to slightly rhombic, sometimes slightly lobed, rounded to truncate at the base, rounded or acuminate at the apex, sparsely to densely pilose on both surfaces, 3-veined from the base; petiole 1.5–5.8 cm; rhachis 5–12 mm long; petiolules 1–2 mm long; stipules 4–6 mm long, striate, ovate; stipels 3–5 mm long, lanceolate. Inflorescence axillary, subcapitate or a short raceme; peduncle 0.5–9.8 cm long; rhachis 5–15 mm long; pedicels 3–11 mm long; bracts 1–2 mm long, striate; bracteoles 2–7 mm long, striate. Calyx pilose (in the Flora Zambesiaca area); tube 3–4 mm long; lobes 1–6 mm long, triangular, upper pair fused along most or all of their length. Standard pink or magenta fading bluish-purple, 10–18 × 10–13 mm, oblate; wings purple; keel paler to white. Ovary 7–10 mm long, linear-oblong, compressed, pubescent; style 5–8 mm long; stigma minute, terminal, capitate, penicillate. Pods 4.2–7.8 cm × 3–10 mm, glabrous or nearly so when mature, or persistently pubescent or velvety, 5–12-seeded. Seeds pinkish, reddish-brown or mottled black, 4–6 × 2–4 × 1–2 mm, oblong-reniform, compressed.