Partridge Pea
Chamaecrista fasciculata
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © joeysantore (iNaturalist #121640507)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Chamaecrista
- Species:
- Chamaecrista fasciculata
- USDA Symbol:
- CHFA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Caribbean pod borer (Fundella pellucens), Adelphia petrella, Caristanius decoloralis, common tan wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria), Grape Leafminer (Stegasta bosqueella), Io moth (Automeris io), Polyhymno luteostrigella
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Bombus Latreille, Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Euglossa dilemma, Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Xylocopa micans Butterflies:Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator), Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus), Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice), Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Julia butterfly (Dione vanillae), Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor), Little Yellow (Eurema lisa), ⚠️Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), Palamedes Swallowtail (Pterourus palamedes), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe), Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe), Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Seeds germinate well after fire; used in prairie restoration.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed areas and open fields
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarify seed coat (nick or hot water) then warm stratify 30-60 days followed by cold stratification 30-60 days.
Pre-treatment: None required
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 weeks, then place @ 20C. Requires scarification.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Bamert Seed (seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Wild Seed Project (seeds)