Galega officinalis L.

Stems rounded, ribbed, ± glabrous. Lvs sparsely hairy; stipules ovate-lanceolate with 1–3 basal lobes; leaflets subsessile, elliptic-ovate to oblong, obtuse or acute, mucronate, in 4–9 ± opposite pairs, (15)–20–50 mm long, pinnately veined. Infl. axillary, = or > lvs, with numerous fls; bracts subtending pedicels lanceolate, c. 5–7 mm long; pedicels 3–6 mm long. Calyx glabrous, or with scattered, short hairs at base of tube and teeth, slightly gibbous at base; calyx teeth ± = or slightly < tube, linear. Corolla white to pale purplish or pinkish blue or deep pink, 10–13 mm long. Pod glabrous, ± cylindric, with thickened parallel veins, 2–8-seeded, 15–40 mm long; seeds smooth, oblong, constricted slightly at the short hilum.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Dec.–May.