Vines, perennial; root elongate. Stems twining, solid, sericeous. Leaves: stipules retrorse, lanceolate or ovate, 5–6 × 1.8–2 mm; petiole 3.5–8 cm, canescent; rachis 5–8 mm; stipels linear, 1.2–2.5 mm; leaflets papery, blades elliptic or ovate, base cuneate or obtuse, apex acute, surfaces often canescent abaxially, strigose adaxially; lateral blades 3.3–4 × 2.7–3.3 cm, 2-lobed, terminal blades often hastate, 4.5–4.7 × 3–4.3 cm. Inflorescences 26–36 cm, axes pilose; tufts of bracts at base of peduncle persistent, 5.5 mm, lanceolate, canescent; extrafloral nectaries conspicuous at nodes; bracts and bracteoles lanceolate or subulate. Pedicels 1–2 mm. Flowers 1.7–3 cm; calyx campanulate, 6.2–8 mm, canescent, calyx lobes shorter than tube; corolla purple-black; banner oblong, 13–17 × 9–10.4 mm; wings obovate, 13–24 × 8–14.3 mm; keel 9–16 mm; ovary nectary disc distally oblique; ovules 13. Legumes patent, linear, 7–10 × 0.3–0.4 cm, valves twisting at dehiscence. Seeds 12 or 13, oblong, 3.5–5.2 × 2–3.2 mm. 2n = 22.

Phenology: Flowering Mar–Sep.
Habitat: intro­duced in tropical areas nearly worldwide..
Elevation: 10–1200 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ariz., Calif., Fla., Miss., N.Mex., Tex., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America (n Argentina), intro­duced in tropical areas nearly worldwide.

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.