Hedysarum pictum Jacquin, Collectanea 2: 262. 1788; Doodia picta (Jacquin) Roxburgh; Uraria leucantha Zippelius ex Spanoghe; U. linearis Hasskarl.

Subshrubs or shrubs. Stems erect, 1-2 m tall, gray stri­gose. Leaves imparipinnate, 5- or 7(or 9)-foliolate; petiole 4-7 cm; leaflet blades linear-oblong or narrowly lanceolate, termi­nal one 4.5-13 × 1-2 cm, abaxially densely hairy on veins, adaxially pubescent along midvein and basal margin, base rounded, apex narrowly acute. Racemes terminal, 10-30 cm. Pedicel 5-6 mm, elongated to 8 mm after anthesis, apically hooked. Calyx 5-parted, long hairy and ciliate; lower lobes slightly longer than upper. Corolla pink or pale blue, 5-6 mm; standard obovate, long clawed; wings auriculate, 4-7 mm, base shortly auriculate; keel ca. as long as wings, upper parts curved. Ovary glabrous, 3-5-ovuled. Legume lead-colored, lucid, gla­brous, 3-5-jointed; articles ca. 3 × 2 mm. Fl. and fr. Apr-Oct. 2n = 16, 22.

The roots are used medicinally for invigorating the liver and spleen and as a sedative.

Grassy slopes; 400-1500 m. Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, S Tai­wan, Yunnan [Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Japan (S Ryukyu Islands), Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; tropical Africa, Australia].