sensitive partridge pea
Family
FabaceaeScientific Name
Chamaecrista nictitans ssp. nictitans var. nictitansOther Common Names:
wild sensitive senna
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Chamaecrista procumbens
Chamaecrista nictitans var. hebecarpa
Chamaecrista mohrii
Chamaecrista multipinnata
Cassia nictitans
Chamaecrista nictitans var. leiocarpa
Cassia aspera var. mohrii
Habit
Annual errect forb that can reach 10 to 50 cm in height.
Leaves
Has pinnately compound, sensitive leaves with a slender stalk. Has an umbrella shaped gland below the lowest pair of leaflets that is much wider than the slender stalk. Around 20-36 leaflets per leaf and each leaflet is around 6 to 15 mm long and 1-5 mm wide. Small spine at the tip of the leaflets.
Identifying Characteristics
Forb with a tap root, without hair on stems usually, and compound leaves with bright yellow flowers.
Flower Seed Head
Has axillary, solitary flowers that are in a short raceme and bright yellow. Petals are not of equal size. The lowermost petal is about 2 times or more longer than the other 4.
Seed Fruit
Straight narrow seed pod that can be 0.5 to 2.5 inches long.
Where Found
It is native to the USA and can be found all along the east coast, west to Arizona, and north to Wisconsin. It is found in thickets, roadsides, along ponds and bodies of water, and disturbed areas.
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
quarter,
half dollar,
larger
Dominant Flower Color
yellow
Flower Symmetry
not symmetrical
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
oval,
triangle
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
pinnate
Leaf Stalk
Varies:
none,
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
summer annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb