The plant has a poorly developed vegetative system but with a pivoting root that tends to go deep. The leaves are formed by pairs of leaflets terminated in tendrils. The inflorescences are born clustered in large foliate bracts - up to 9 by 4 cm - that are inserted in the armpits of the leaves. The seeds (peas) are in pods between 5 to 10 cm long containing between 4 and 10 units. There are certain varieties of habit, that is, that grow as herbs to a defined height, and others of indeterminate habit, which behave like vines that do not stop growing and require support means or "guides."