Legume/Pea family, Fabaceae
Origin: east-western and central North America
Habitat in the original area: banks of watercourses, moist places
Habitus: A shrub growing to the height of 1–4 metres with straight branches. The bark is brown-grey.
List: The odd-pinnate leaves are up to 30 centimetres long and consist of 5–12 pairs of all-round leaflets.
Bloom, fruit: It blooms from May to July with a narrow, racemose inflorescence up to 15 centimetres long. The colour of its blossoms is from light to dark purple. The fruit is a short pod containing up to two seeds.
Interesting fact: It is undemanding to the habitat; it tolerates drought well. It is used to strengthen slopes. In warmer areas, however, it spreads out and displaces the original vegetation.
