Partridge Pea

Description:

Annual, 1-5 ft tall. Yellow flowers with 5 petals with red dot at base, one petal larger, one petal curved inward. Leaves alternate, pinnately compound, 10-30 leaflets. Fruit is linear pod to 3 in.

Habitat:

These were growing alongside a path in a meadow area near a lake.

Notes:

Partridge pea produces nectar in small orange glands at the base of each leaf, attracting various butterflies, especially hairstreaks. Several species of sulpher and yellow butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves, larvae using buds and flowers as a food source. Flat brown seeds are an important food source for many game and song birds. Plants are toxic.