[2] It is native to Russia and southern Asia, but it can be found on other continents where it is an introduced species, and one that is often a noxious weed.

Stems branch from the base and bear clusters of about four leaflets on sharp spurs.

Flowers also appear at the ends of spurs in clusters of two to four pink pealike blossoms each one to two centimeters wide.

The fruit is a black woody inflated pod about 2 centimeters long containing legume seeds.

When introduced to an area of suitable climate, such as California where it is a known weed, it can invade cultivated land and spread relatively quickly.