|
Chamaecrista fasciculata
Partridge Pea
Item #: 1016
Category: Wildflowers
Habit: Annual
Bloom: June-Oct
Height: 1-3'
Planting Rates:
Rangeland 18 lbs / acre
Lawn & Garden: Packet covers 20 sf D-pak covers 200 sf Lb covers 900 sf
Price: 1 pkt. - $3.29 1 dpak. - $9.00 1 lb. - $19.00
SOIL TYPE |
SUNLIGHT |
Soil Moisture |
Sand |
Loam |
Clay |
Caliche |
Full |
Partial |
Dappled |
Shade |
X |
X |
X |
|
X |
X |
|
|
Medium Moist |
|
Description
This annual has a long bloom time, from June to October. It grows to a height
of 1 to 3 feet tall. The flowers form in short clusters with only one flower
opening at a time. The foliage is finely divided giving it a very pleasing,
feathery appearance.
Cloudless Giant Sulphur, Orange Sulphur, Little Yellow, and Sleepy Orange
Butterflies all use the plant as their larval food. The seeds that form in the
flat bean pod are an important source of food for game birds like dove and
quail, as well as for songbirds. The roots have nitrogen-fixing properties
that enhance the soil that they are growing in. Over-all, this is one of our
best habitat plants.
The Partridge Pea is easy in sandy or loamy soils, as long as they are well
drained. Though they germinate in late spring, be sure to plant them in the
fall. They need to over-winter in the ground.
Legume leaves of Partridge Pea (above)
Wonderful plants for native bees and honeybees. American Bumble Bees use these a lot, and their bloom period is really long - Carol Clark (above photo)
|