Short-lived, perennial shrub to 2-3 m high. Deep taproot. Stems densely silky-hairy when young, tough, erect, branching, becoming soft-woody. Leaves grey-green, hairless above, silky below, divided into 5-11 leaflets spreading out from one point finger-like; leaflets 15-40 x 3-10 mm. Flowers pea-like, 15-18 mm long, usually pale yellow (rarely white or bluish), sweetly scented, Oct-May. Seed pod stout, softly hairy, 40-80 mm long, firmly attached; splits explosively to disperse dark brown, mottled seeds, 4-6 mm long.

Terrestrial. Short tussockland, bare land, riverbeds, coastal sandy and well drained areas.

Uses sun's energy for photoynthesis.

Introduced.

http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=3143 accessed 13/02/14