Sensitive Partridge Pea
Chamaecrista nictitans
- Native to:
- Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Navassa Island, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Palau, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., United States, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © tedleeeubanksjr (iNaturalist #93268649)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Chamaecrista
- Species:
- Chamaecrista nictitans
- USDA Symbol:
- CHNI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- 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
Adelphia petrella, Aristotelia corallina, Caristanius decoloralis, Caristanius minimus, Selenisa sueroides
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Responds positively to fire; seeds germinate well after fire disturbance.
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:
- commonly found in open, disturbed areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water) followed by warm stratification then cold stratification for best germination.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)