Partridge Pea

(Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) found at wikimedia commons under cc)

 

     The Partridge Pea is a weed we see on our lawn every year, we drag out the lawn mower and cut away the weeds along with the rest of the grass. Then we go out in the garden and plant our purple hull peas, butterbeans and other plants we like to eat. There is a secret to the Partridge pea. I will let you in on the secret if you notice how pretty it is.

     The partridge pea is one of the cutest little flowers on your lawn. You almost hate to cut such a cute weed, but it grows to thickly and is weedy so I forgive you. This Partridge pea is actually a type of pea that is eaten by your "Bob Bob White!"

The little quail we have around our homes that holler for Bob White actually eat this little pea. I laughed when I saw this was a pea. We rake our weeds out of the garden and plant our seeds when they are coming up wild.

    According to the USDA document I found online the Partridge Pea is a great nectar for your honeybees (if you raise them) There are a number of waterfowl, small animals and your regular game fowl that eat the plant.  This flowering pea is meant for wild animals not for livestock. The plant is poisonous to your cattle and goats. 

    In maintaining a healthy habitat, you can use this type of plant to attract butterflies, small birds, and many other small animals. Butterflies lay their eggs in this pretty little fernlike feathered flower. This is a great plant to mix in with clover (trifolium) for your honey.