Flowers:
Purple (Violet or blue-violet, slightly fragrant pea-like flowers borne in late April to May on 8-20" racemes just before or as leaves emerge)
Foliage:
Green (Bright green pinnately compound summer foliage); Yellow (Yellow fall foliage; not reliable)
Fruit:
Brown (Pod; not ornamentally important)
Soil:
Best site has a good organic slightly acid soil, but also does well in higher pH soils
Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves 10-15" long, alternate, and pinnately compound with 13-19 entire leaflets and with a petiole that is flattened at the base. Stems spiral clockwise. Look for two spine-like projections at top of leaf scar.
