Plant is a hairy climbing vine with fleshy tubers. Preferred habitat is stream edges, fence rows and alluvial woods. Distribution is throughout the Escambia region.

Leaves are alternate on the stem; elongated with leaflets arising along both sides of the leaf stalk and compound; usually consisting of five leaflets that are egg-shaped to lance-like; no teeth or lobes.

Flowers are in a raceme in the leaf axil; flower calyx has four lobes; five petals that are purple to brownish purple; ten stamens. Flowers occur in the spring and summer.

Fruit is a legume.