Locust Weed Chamaecrista fasciculata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cassia chamaecrista
- Cassia fasciculata
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-ee-KRIS-ta fa-sik-yoo-LAY-tuh
- Description
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Partridge Pea is a herbaceous annual that is native to most of the eastern USA and can be found in open woods, meadow, prairies and plains. Large, yellow flowers first mature in summer and continue into early fall and are attractive to bees and butterflies. The feathery green leaves fold together when touched and in the evening as darkness approaches. The flower is followed by a narrow pod which is attractive to songbirds and game birds. Because it is a legume it fixes nitrogen and helps improve the soil. It can grow to 3 feet tall and taller plants tend to sprawl on the ground.
It prefers full sun in moist, well-drained soil and is resistant to erosion drought and dry soil. Plant in a meadow or naturalized area, along a slope to help with erosion or in an area where you would like to improve the soil. Do note that it can be weedy and self-seeds easily but it is an important wildlife plant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Leaf spot and mildew occasionally occur. Deer browse the foliage.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chamaecrista
- Species:
- fasciculata
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Eastern U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are a nectar source for bees and butterflies and seeds are consumed by songbirds, quail and wild turkeys. It is a host plant for the Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa), and Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe) larvae. The plant also provides cover for game birds.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Flat, narrow 2 1/2" long green pods mature to brown, breaking open and dispersing seeds from July to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of 2-6, 1" flowers form in leaf axils with 5 bright yellow rounded petals of various sizes in an open irregular shape. They have a reddish-purple spot at the base of the petal and stamens are red. Blooms from June to September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Oblong
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate and pinnately divided with up to 20 linear-oblong leaflets that are 2/3 inch long and 1/3 inch wide. They have petioles with nectaries that attract insects. Leaves fold together when touched and as it gets dark in the evening.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Problems:
- Weedy
