Family:

Fabaceae

Habitat:

Garigue, ruderal meadow, fallow land

Growth habit:

herbaceous

Plant size:

20 - 80 cm

Flower colour:

blue, sometimes also whitish or pink

Flowering time

March - May

Leaf characteristics:

typically fingered, the 5 - 9 linear leaflets are 2 - 8 mm wide and rounded at the tip, slightly hairy underneath

Flower characteristics:

Flowers alternate in 5 - 10 cm long racemes, corolla 12 - 16 mm long

Fruits:

straight pod containing 4 - 7 seeds

Special features:

The alkaloid-containing seeds can also be eaten by humans. They contain 25% fat and 40% protein.