The pea-shaped flower has a large upper petal called the "standard" petal, two large side petals called "wings," and two lower petals, often fused together, called the "keel," which encloses the stamens and stigma.

A single stemmed plant, like a small tree with branches above that radiate off the central trunk. This example was about 3 feet (about 1 meter) high. It can grow to over 13 feet (4 meters).

A full healthy plant to the left. That same plant in a thinner and yellower look to the right. Notice that the less healthy plant produces far fewer flowers.

The leaves appear to be needles, but are actually thin compound leaves, with several pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are 2 inches (50 mm) long and 1/8 inch (3 mm) wide each.

This plant is also the Fountain Bush. The appearance of the leaves resemble small sprays of water upward, which might suggest this popular name.

Although the flowers appear randomly placed, they are actually restricted to the ends of branches. Also note that this bush is actually an evergreen that never loses its leaves.

This closeup more clearly shows that the flowers bloom at the ends of the branches.