Perennial erect herb, up to50-100cm tall, densely to slightly hairy. Leaves alternate imparipinnate, 3-foliolate, petiole up to 11 cm longstipules oblong-lanceolate, 1-2.6 cm long, rachis up to 0.5-2 cm long, with 1 terminal and 2 lateral leaflets, rhombic, obtuse to acute at apex, cuneate at base, 1.8-11 cm long and 1.5-8.5 cm wide, hairy.  Inlorescence a lax  many flowered axillary or terminal raceme, axes hairy. Flowers orange-red, corolla up to 0.8- 1.2 cm long. Fruit a 5-articled pod up to 5 cm long.

In Rwanda, the leaves are used to treat anorexia, stomach ache, stomac ulcer, and hepatitis. They are said to have an effect against madness and bedevilment.