A vigorous, deciduous climber with palmate, mid-green leaves divided into ovate to lance-shaped leaflets, pale green when young and turning yellow in autumn. Racemes of single, lightly fragrant, pea-like, purple flowers bloom as the leaves emerge in spring, followed by velvety, green seed pods.
Height 10m (32ft), Spread 4m (13ft), 10-20 years to maturity.