Twining vine with pink, pea-like flowers and trifoliate leaves; the shape of the leaflets range from narrow to triangular to oval.
Stems trailing or twining, usually longer than 1 foot. Leaves divided into 3 leaflets; leaflets not lobed, smooth margined, narrow, triangular ovate. Flowers purple to pink, in long-stalked clusters arising from leaf axils, 2 to 5 flowers per stalk.
Habitat
Often found on mesas and hillsides, among trees or shrubs and ponderosa forest clearings.
Flower Characteristics
Pea-like flowers to 1/2 inch wide, sometimes appear singly or in elongated clusters. Individual flowers are stemmed, keel petal is distinctly twisted and often yellow-tinged. Sepals toothed.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaflets mostly a narrow triangular to ovate, much longer than wide; a wide range of leaf shapes and sizes exist within this species.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
A lima bean-like pod, curved into a shape similar to a half-moon.
Seeds 2 to 3 per pod.