Matted perennial, forming low cushions up to 30 cm across; stems absent or less than 2 cm; herbage strigose with dolabriform hairs; leaves pinnately compound, to 8 cm long, with 5-7 narrow leaflets; flowers pea-like, solitary on each peduncle, nestled among the leaves, dark reddish-purple, about 15 mm long; pods almost round except for a small beak at the apex, about 3 mm in diameter, hairy. Flowers in May.