This native prairie species grows from 2-3 feet tall. Mature plants have many loosely spreading branches giving it a bushy appearance (B,C). Alternate compound leaves have 3 or 5 narrowly elliptical leaflets with smooth margins (E,F). Leaflets are on short stalks with two linear stipules at the base of the stalk (G). Clusters (racemes) of 2-4 blue-violet, pea-shaped flowers occur at intervals at the ends of the branched stems (A,C). Green to purple calyces at the base of each flower are usually covered with dense white hairs (A,D). Fruits are small (1/4-1/3 inch), slightly flattened oval pods with a small beak at the tip (H). Their surface is dotted with small glands; glands also occur on leaves and stems where they are less visible.

The alternate common name Wild Alfalfa has been applied to this species because of its resemblance to our cultivated Alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Alfalfa has very different coiled fruits and no dotted glands on fruit or leaflets. It does have compound leaves, but they are only in groups of 3, not 5.

Similar Silverleaf Scurf-Pea (Pediomelum argophyllum) also has clusters of blue, pea-like flowers and leaflets in 3’s or 5’s, but it has densely hairy, silvery leaflets and no dotted glands on fruit or leaflets.