A shrub or small tree (3-4 m), occurring in or along the margin of forests in the eastem parts of the country. In dry areas the leaves are shed in winter but elsewhere it is evergreen. The flowers are bright yellow and have the typical form of the Fabaceae (pea family). They are borne in racemes and flowering can take place over several months. The flowers are visited by carpenter bees. In late summer, thin, straw-coloured pods are borne. The species makes a good garden plant as it is easily raised from seed, flowers at two years and, despite its natural distribution in the warmer parts of the country, withstands considerable frost.