Chamaecrista fasciculata, the partridge pea, is a species of legume native to most of the eastern United States.^[1] It is an annual which grows to approximately 0.5 meters tall.^[1] It has bright yellow flowers from early summer until first frost,^[2] with flowers through the entire flowering season if rainfall is sufficient.^[1]

The flowers are hermaphroditic, although a fraction of plants, less than 5%, do not produce sufficient pollen to reproduce as males. This phenomenon has been studied in a variety of plants as a possible evolutionary step towards dioecy, in which male and female flowers occur on separate plants.^[2]C. fasciculata is pollinated only by bees.^[3]

The flowers have yellow anthers that produce reproductive pollen, and purple anthers that produce food pollen. Long-tongued bees such as bumblebees, honey bees, long-horned bees, and leafcutting bees pollinate the flowers. There are nectar-producing glands on the leaf stems, which attract a different set of insects: sweat bees, flies, wasps, and ants.^[4]

It thrives in areas that have been burned recently before declining in number in the following years.^[1] It is considered an excellent choice for planting in disturbed areas, as it will quickly cover an area, preventing erosion, while still allowing other plants to become established.^[1] It is also grown as an ornamental or for honey production.^[1]

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