partridge pea
ExplorePlants
partridge pea
Chamaecrista fasciculata
The partridge pea is a bright yellow flower that blooms in the summer. It grows low to the ground and is loved by many butterflies and bees!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The partridge pea is a low-growing plant with delicate, fern-like leaves that fold up at night. It has bright yellow flowers, often with a striking reddish-brown spot near the base of the petals. Its bushy form and vibrant blooms make it stand out in sunny fields.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusChamaecrista
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Found almost everywhere in the eastern and central United States, often by roadsides!
It's a crucial snack for caterpillars of the pretty Cloudless Sulphur butterfly!
Its fern-like leaves actually fold up tightly every night, like going to sleep!
Some flowers have a mysterious dark spot, almost like a secret bullseye for insects!
Special abilities
Ability
Nectar Guard
Partridge pea has tiny nectar glands on its leaf stems that attract ants, which then help protect the plant from hungry herbivores.
Ability
Soil Builder
Partridge pea works with special bacteria in its roots to pull nitrogen from the air, enriching the soil for itself and other plants.
Ability
Seed Slinger
Partridge pea's ripe seed pods can burst open with surprising force, flinging their seeds far away to spread new plants.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to Early Fall (July-October)
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects pollen and nectar
pollinates
common eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
vibrates flowers to release pollen
eaten by
Cloudless Sulphur butterfly
Phoebis sennae
caterpillars feed on its leaves
eaten by
Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus
eats its protein-rich seeds
symbiotic with
nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Bradyrhizobium japonicum
forms nodules to fix atmospheric nitrogen
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they're safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is partridge pea?
30-90 cm
How wide does partridge pea spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on partridge pea?
2-3 cm
When does partridge pea bloom?
Summer to Early Fall (July-October)
Is partridge pea edible?
No
Is partridge pea toxic?
None
What is partridge pea's lifecycle?
Annual
How is partridge pea pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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