It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The panicles of vanilla scented, pea-like flowers are hermaphrodite (having both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects.
The fruit is a pod or legume, the seeds green at first but becoming shiny black.[2]
The leaves are cholagogue and purgative. All parts of this plant are highly poisonous[3] and should not be eaten or used internally.