Silvery scurf pea is an erect forb, 30-60cm, that is very branched and covered with many long, soft, slender white hairs. Its flower heads consist of several levels of tightly bunched 8-10mm long, dark blue, lobed, tube-like flowers that attach directly to the stem or branch. Its fruits are densely silky. Leaves are divided into 3-5 narrowly elliptic to inversely lance-shaped or egg-shaped, 2-5cm long leaflets, petioles are 1-3+ cm.
Its woody rhizomes and 4-10mm-long flowers are distinguishing characteristics.