Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, in scattered locations elsewhere in North America.

Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, wastelots, and other disturbed open areas.

Flowers: May-July

Origin: Introduced from Europe

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Bumblebees, bees, butterflies, flies

Glabrous to appressed-pubescent, clambering perennial, the stems 0.5-1 m. tall.

Leaves pinnate, 6-12 cm. long, with well-developed tendrils; leaflets 12-18, linear, 1.5-3 cm. long, with a needle-like tip; stipules toothed to entire, 7-15 mm. long.

Inflorescence of axillary racemes, these longer than the peduncles and exceeding the leaves; flowers pea-like, 20-70. closely packed, 10-15 mm. long, pendulous, violet-purple; calyx half as long as the corolla, the tube 2-3 mm. long, oblique and slightly bulged, the upper 2 lobes very short, triangular, the lower 3 much longer; style densely bearded at the tip.

Pod 1.5-2 cm. long and 6-10 mm. broad, flattened, several-seeded.