No images found for this plant ID: 9793.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "9793" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
twoleaf sensitive pea
Scientific Name: Chamaecrista diphylla
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Chamaecrista fasciculata and Other "Sensitive" Plants
This page explores several plants known for their unique leaf movements in response to touch and other stimuli, including Chamaecrista fasciculata, often called Partridge Pea, and related species. We will delve into their characteristics, distribution, and interactions with the environment.
Considerations for Pets
- Some species mentioned have structures such as barbs on their stems.
Considerations for Children
- Some species mentioned have structures such as barbs on their stems.
- Several plants mentioned have leaves that close when touched, which may be tempting for children to repeatedly interact with them.
Common Names
- Partridge Pea: This name is frequently used for Chamaecrista fasciculata. Other names include Prairie Senna, Golden Cassia, and Large-flowered Sensitive.
- Round-leaf Sensitive Pea: This is a common name for Chamaecrista rotundifolia, also known as roundleaf cassia and Wynn cassia.
- Sensitive Plant: This name commonly refers to plants in the pea family (Fabaceae) that respond to touch by closing their leaves, and drooping.
- Sleeping Plant: Another common name associated with Partridge Pea and similar species.
- Beach Sensitive Pea: Another common name associated with Partridge Pea and similar species.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)
- Mimosa microphylla synonyms: Mimosa quadrivalvis var. angustata, Schrankia
Distribution and Habitat
- Chamaecrista fasciculata is mentioned in reference to other Cassia species that occur widely.
- Mimosa microphylla (Smooth-leaf Sensitive-brier) is native.
- Florida Keys Sensitive Pea is native to Florida.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Leaves: The leaflets of Chamaecrista fasciculata are described as "sensitive" because they fold together when touched. Compound leaves, having up to 20 leaflets, are sensitive to touch and approximately 2/3" long and 1/3" across.
- Flowers: Flowers of Chamaecrista fasciculata occur from the leaf axils, not terminal stems, sometimes 2 to 4 together. The flowers are yellow, regular, 5-parted, about 1/4 inch across, and 2 or 3 together in the axils.
- Pods: Each pod of Chamaecrista fasciculata contains between 2 and 10 seeds, or peas. When mature and dry, the two sides separate suddenly, flinging the seeds a yard or more away.
- Stems: Stems are weak, 6 to 15 inches tall, branching, and leafy. Mimosa microphylla has sprawling barbed stems.
- Seedlings: Seedlings of Partridge Pea have two seed leaves that are short and semi-circular with tiny compound leaves sprouting.
- Other Tendrils of Pea plants are contact-sensitive, filamentous organs that permit climbing.
Ecological Interactions
- Chamaecrista nictitans is a similar species to Chamaecrista fasciculata.
Quirky Facts
- The leaflets of Chamaecrista fasciculata are called "sensitive" because they fold together when touched.
- When the pods of Chamaecrista fasciculata are mature and dry, they separate suddenly, flinging the seeds a yard or more away.