The partridge pea, Chamaecrista fasciculata, is for the birds—specifically, its peapod-like fruits contain seeds that are an important winter food source for various North American fowl. The plant is part of the Fabaceae family, which includes peas and legumes and is known for its nitrogen-fixing properties. The plants in this family help restore nitrogen to soil through relationships with microorganisms hosted in the plants' root nodules. It is a frequent colonizer of disturbed sites and is often seen after fires. At Glenstone, partridge pea is particularly visible in sections of our native meadows that have been burned in the past few years, but it is present throughout the landscape—look for pinnate leaves and butter-yellow flowers when the plant is in bloom.

–Kevin McDonald