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sensitive pea
Scientific Name: Chamaecrista
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Chamaecrista nictitans
Also known as sensitive cassia, sensitive partridge pea, small partridge pea, or wild sensitive plant, Chamaecrista nictitans is a herbaceous species of legume. Other common names include sensitive pea, dwarf cassia, and golden cassia.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant's leaves are described as "sensitive to the touch," folding together when touched.
Considerations for Children
- This plant's leaves are described as "sensitive to the touch," folding together when touched.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Chamaecrista nictitans
- Genus: Chamaecrista, part of the pea family, Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae.
- Synonyms: (L.) Moench var. nictitans
Distribution and Habitat
- The plant is native to tropical America.
- It has been introduced to disturbed, sandy areas of Florida.
Morphological Characteristics
- It is a slender-stemmed annual, growing up to 1 foot tall.
- The leaves are pinnately compound, comprised of numerous leaflets.
- It has yellow flowers.
Ecological Role
- Partridge pea seeds provide food for various grassland birds, including quail, prairie chickens, pheasants, and ducks.
- It is described as a nitrogen-fixing annual, useful for rebuilding soil.
Quirky Facts
- The leaflets are described as "sensitive" because they fold together when touched.
- It's sometimes referred to as a "sleeping plant."