Wild Sensitive Plant

(Chamaecrista nictitans)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Wild Sensitive Plant (Chamaecrista nictitans [L.] Moench)

Identification:  Flowers yellow, small, with 5 petals. Flowers arising from the leaf axils. Flower with 5 stamens. Leaves divided into 10 to 20 opposite pairs of leaflets. Leaf petiole with a small gland at its base. Plant sensitive to touch, 6 to 16 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout most of eastern North America. Also occurs in the south-central and southwestern United States.

Habitat: Wild Sensitive Plant is found on sandy soil, commonly in disturbed habitats.

Flowering period: July to September.

Similar Species: Partridge Pea has much larger flowers.

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