Partridge Pea
Chamaecrista fasciculata
Also listed as Cassia chamaecrista, Cassia fasciculata
Also known as Showy Partridgepea, Golden Cassia, Prairie-senna
Climate Match for your location
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Partridge pea is a native wildflower with delicate yellow flowers and finely divided foliage that attracts pollinators and wildlife. This low-maintenance legume thrives in dry, sandy soils and is often used for restoration and erosion control.
Why grow it
Partridge pea establishes readily on degraded or marginal soils where many ornamental legumes struggle, making it a practical choice for erosion control and habitat restoration in eastern North America. Its nitrogen-fixing ability improves soil fertility without amendment, and it produces seed prolifically, useful for naturalizing in appropriate sites. Unlike some cultivated cover crops, it requires minimal inputs once established and provides reliable forage and seed for wildlife.
Watch out for
Plants may self-seed aggressively in disturbed areas or gardens with regular tilling, requiring management if spread is undesired. Performance varies considerably by region and soil type within its native range, so local ecotype seed is preferable to nursery stock from distant origins. In very wet conditions or heavy clay soils, establishment can be inconsistent compared to sandier, well-drained sites.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Partridge pea is a native wildflower with delicate yellow flowers and finely divided foliage that attracts pollinators and wildlife. This low-maintenance legume thrives in dry, sandy soils and is often used for restoration and erosion control.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Partridge Pea grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Partridge pea establishes readily on degraded or marginal soils where many ornamental legumes struggle, making it a practical choice for erosion control and habitat restoration in eastern North America. Its nitrogen-fixing ability improves soil fertility without amendment, and it produces seed prolifically, useful for naturalizing in appropriate sites. Unlike some cultivated cover crops, it requires minimal inputs once established and provides reliable forage and seed for wildlife.
Watch out for
Plants may self-seed aggressively in disturbed areas or gardens with regular tilling, requiring management if spread is undesired. Performance varies considerably by region and soil type within its native range, so local ecotype seed is preferable to nursery stock from distant origins. In very wet conditions or heavy clay soils, establishment can be inconsistent compared to sandier, well-drained sites.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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