Thursday, August 9, 2012

Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)

The Partridge Pea is one of the very few wildflowers blooming now. It is a member of the Legume (bean) family blooming from July into the fall.

They produce two inch seed pods which are black and are a favorite food of songbirds. The sweet nectar is attractive to Sulphur butterflies and the Hairstreak butterflies. They not only feed on these plants , they lay their eggs underneath the tiny leaves. When touched the leaves will close up.

Other common names for this plant are Sleeping Pea and Sensitive Pea derived from the sensitivity of its leaves.

As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Jeremiah 17:11

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