Smithia purpurea is a species of plant in the Fabaceae family.

[1] A small annual herb with an erect stem that grows to a height of 0.5 to 1 ft (0.15 to 0.30 m) and has spreading branches.

[2] Western Ghats, India[3] In open moist sunny areas on basaltic outcrops and is abundant on basalt mesas with an elevation of 800 m (2,600 ft) above sea level.

In patches on open plateaux, banks of streamlets, road sides and farm bunds of Ghat regions.

[4] The genus is named after British botanist and physician Sir James Edward Smith and the specific epithet refers to the purple colour of the flower.