Marcus, Joseph A.
Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene
Partridge pea, Sleepingplant, Sensitive plant
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Sleepingplant or partridge-pea is a slender-stemmed, 1-3 ft.
annual with pinnately-compound leaves bearing many small, yellow-green leaflets which fold together when touched. Large, showy, yellow flowers arise from leaf axils. Each flower is marked with red and is followed by a narrow pod.
This wildflower provides bright summer color, and the flowers attract bees and butterflies. Seed pods are eaten by gamebirds and songbirds, and the plant provides excellent cover for gamebirds and browse for deer. Leaves collapse when touched, giving rise to the common name Sensitive-plant. Like other members of the pea family, Partridge-pea requires the presense of microorganisms that inhabit nodules on the plants root system and produce nitrogen compounds necessary for the plants survival.
Image Gallery:
15 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Annual Habit: Herb Leaf Retention: Deciduous Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Size Notes: 1-3
Leaf: Green
Flower: Flowers 1/2 inch
Fruit: Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NJ , NM , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , WV , WI , DC
Native Distribution: MA to FL Panhandle, w. to MN, e. NE, OK & extreme e. TX
Native Habitat: Open woodlands, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Soil Description: Dry, deep, sandy, well-drained soils. Clay, Clay Loam, Medium Loam, Sandy Loam, Sandy, Acid-based, Calcareous
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Showy, Color, Wildflower meadow, Border
Use Wildlife: Nectar-Bees, Nectar-Butterflies, Seeds-Granivorous birds, Nectar-ants.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Cloudless giant sulpher, Orange sulphur, Sleepy orange butterflies.
Nectar Source: yes
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Chamaecrista fasciculata is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-12-07
