PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun exposure preferred; tolerates partial shade in hot Mediterranean climates
Watering
Water deeply when the top 2 cm of soil is dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Temperature
Thrives in cool to temperate temperatures; tolerates light spring frost but not extreme summer heat
Characteristics
- Leaf: Pinnately compound leaves with 5–15 oval, gray-green, hairy leaflets
- Flower: Pink to pale purple pea-like blooms arranged in dense racemes
- Fruit: Curved, spiny seed pods resembling a rooster's head, containing one seed
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during growing season
Fertilization
Light topdress of balanced compost at planting. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive foliage growth over flowering
Eggshell powder topdress：Crush clean, dried eggshells into fine powder; sprinkle 1 tsp per plant around base to boost soil calcium contentPruning
- Remove spent flower heads to extend the blooming period
- Thin overcrowded stems to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
- Cut back dead foliage after fruiting to tidy the garden bed
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats
Humans: No known toxicity to humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Forage for livestock, wildflower garden ornamental, nitrogen-fixing cover crop
