Partridgepea

Cassia fasciculata

Weed Description
Summer annual with divided leaves that consist of 8 to 15 pairs of oppositely arranged leaflets and relatively large yellow flowers. Partridgepea is primarily a weed of pastures, hayfields, roadsides, rights-of-way, and other noncrop areas. Partridgepea may be found throughout the eastern half of the United States.

Seedlings
Large round cotyledons usually with three distinct white veins. Cotyledons are without hairs. First true leaf is divided into two rows of leaflets that are arranged oppositely from one another (pinnately compound).

Leaves
All leaves are divided into two rows of 8 to 15 leaflet pairs that are arranged oppositely from one another (pinnately compound). Each leaflet is linear to oblong in outline, approximately 1/2 to 1 inch long by 2 to 4 mm wide. All leaflets occur on a petiole and a distinctive gland occurs on the underside of the petiole below the first leaflet pair.

Stems
Branching only rarely, hairy, and can reach 3 1/2 feet in height.

Flowers
Arise from the position between the petiole and the stem (leaf axils). Flowers consist of 5 bright yellow petals and have some red mottling. Flowers are approximately 1 inch wide and occur on long (10 to 25 mm) flower stalks (pedicels).

Fruit
A legume that is linear in outline, approximately 1 to 3 inches long and 4 to 6 mm wide. Each legume contains 4 to 20 seed.

Roots
Taproot.

Identifying Characteristics
Showy yellow flowers and leaves that are divided into 8 to 15 pairs of oppositely arranged leaflets. Also, the gland that occurs on the petiole below the first leaflet pair helps to distinguish this weed from other weeds with pinnately compound leaves.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Partridgepea

Cassia fasciculata