Hairy Sensitive Pea

Chamaecrista pilosa

Native to:
Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuelan Antilles

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Chamaecrista
Species:
Chamaecrista pilosa
USDA Symbol:
CHPI5

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual | Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
60 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
Bloom Colors:
yellow

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies, birds
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts after fire and colonizes disturbed sandy sites. Often found in fire-maintained longleaf pine ecosystems.

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:
native to open, sandy areas; avoids waterlogged conditions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Seeds may benefit from hot water treatment or mechanical scarification.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI