This species is similar to Millettia penicillata Gagnep. in having distinct red lines on the outer surface of the standard, but differs in its fewer leaflets (5–7 vs 9–17 in M. penicillata), shorter pseudoracemesor pseudopanicles (up to 10 cm long vs 8–28 cm in M. penicillata), monadelphous stamens (vs diadelphous stamens in M. penicillata) and a tubular disk (vs disk absent in M. penicillata).