Erect shrub, 1.5-4 m tall, stem pubescent. Leaf pinnately trifoliolate, leaflets 2.5-10 cm long, 1.5-3.5 cm broad, elliptic to lanceolate, acute, velvety pubescent above, pilose beneath, both surfaces glandular; petiole 1.0-5.5 cm long, rachis 8-13 mm long; petiolules present. Inflorescence a terminal panicle, peduncle 2-7 cm long. Bracts c. 8 mm long. Pedicel 1-1.7 cm long, pubescent. Calyx velvety pubescent and glandular, tube 5 mm long, teeth 4-7 mm long. Corolla bright yellow with reddish brown or crimson lines. Vexillum 1.2-1.7 cm in diameter. Fruit 4.5-10 cm long, 8-14 mm broad, pubescent and glandular.

Fl.Per.: July-August.

Syntypes: Ceylon, Hermann 2.76 & 3.30 (BM).

Distribution: Native of Tropical Africa, widely cultivated.

‘Pigeon Pea’ is widely cultivated for dal.