Galega officinalis L.

Stems rounded, ribbed, ± glabrous. Lvs sparsely hairy; stipules ovate-lanceolate with 1-3 basal lobes; leaflets subsessile, elliptic-ovate to oblong, obtuse or acute, mucronate, in 4-9 ± opposite pairs, (15)-20-50 mm long, pinnately veined. Infl. axillary, = or > lvs, with numerous fls; bracts subtending pedicels lanceolate, c. 5-7 mm long; pedicels 3-6 mm long. Calyx glabrous, or with scattered, short hairs at base of tube and teeth, slightly gibbous at base; calyx teeth ± = or slightly < tube, linear. Corolla white to pale purplish or pinkish blue or deep pink, 10-13 mm long. Pod glabrous, ± cylindric, with thickened parallel veins, 2-8-seeded, 15-40 mm long; seeds smooth, oblong, constricted slightly at the short hilum.

It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It grows in moist, well-drained soil. It can grow in sun or part shade. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. Hobart Botanical Gardens 1

It has been used as a potherb. The young leaves are cooked and eaten. The plant is a substitute for rennet in making cheese.

Plants are grown by seed. They can also be grown by division.