| ID Characteristic | Dull grey leaves, thorns and pea like purple flowers. |
| Shape | Thorny unkempt form. |
| Landscape | Limited use in warmer climates where is often considered invasive. In California it is listed as a class A noxious weed. I have planted only one plant in the Cuddy Garden in Strathroy and find it an interesting attractive plant. |
| Propagation | If you must, by seed, sown immediately after a 24 hour pre-soak. Cutting of half ripe wood may be taken in July/August but usually with poor results. |
| Cultivation | Lean, well drained soil. |
| Pests | None. |
| Habitat | Poor,lean dry soils. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Light grey, smooth but in little evidence because of the bushiness of the plant. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Terminal branch tips often terminate in thorns. |
| Leaf Description | Compound, evenly pinnate, usually with four leaflets on short spurs. Leaflets are generally obovate to oblanceolate with small pointed apex. |
| Flower Description | Light purple pea like flowers in clusters of 2 - 4, individual flowers 15 - 18mm long. |
| Fruit Description | Pods 1 - 3cm long and 1cm wide, turning black and opening over a period of time to release seeds. |
| Texture Description | Rough textured and somewhat unkempt in form. |
