Smithia purpurea

Smithia purpurea is a species of plant in the Fabaceae family.

Description
A small annual herb with an erect stem that grows to a height of 0.5 to 1 ft and has spreading branches. Leaves are pinnate, leaflets with a bristle at the tip. Flowers purple, about 1 cm across, occur in racemes of 6-12 flowers. The standard petal has two bright white dots.

Range
Western Ghats, India

Habitat
In open moist sunny areas on basaltic outcrops and is abundant on basalt mesas with an elevation of 800 m above sea level.

Ecology
In patches on open plateaux, banks of streamlets, road sides and farm bunds of Gghat regions. More frequently encountered near village environs and disturbed places.

Etymology
The genus is named after British botanist and physician Sir James Edward Smith and the specific epithet refers to the purple colour of the flower.