Partridge Pea

Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,838 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.

Nationally it blooms mainly from July to September, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Partridge Pea: observations by month (U.S.)

About Partridge Pea

Chamaecrista fasciculata, the partridge pea, is a species of legume native to most of the eastern United States. It is an annual which grows to approximately 0.5 meters tall. It has bright yellow flowers from early summer until first frost, with flowers through the entire flowering season if rainfall is sufficient.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Partridge Pea by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (Legumes)

White CloverTrifolium repens

Red CloverTrifolium pratense

Texas bluebonnetLupinus texensis

Bird's-Foot TrefoilLotus corniculatus

Rose CloverTrifolium hirtum

Tomcat CloverTrifolium willdenovii

American hog-peanutAmphicarpaea bracteata

Purple CrownvetchSecurigera varia

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ