It may be hard to believe, but summer is almost half over. Autumn, at least on the calendar, will begin in late September with more moderate temperatures.
While there are still some, or many, hot humid days left to endure, the gradual dwindling hours of sunlight indicate the approach of hopefully cooler weather and a continued pattern of minimal tropical storm activity.
Currently the late summer wildflowers will soon begin their bloom cycle. Partridge Pea, Cassia fasciculata, is one which will be blooming prolifically across panhandle Florida. Traditionally considered a weed, recent years have seen a growing appreciation for the benefits produced by these annuals.
Yellow blossoms with a touch of red at the center of the pedals belong to partridge peas, a native plant and prolific seed producer which will begin blooming in a few weeks. While not popular with cattlemen, these late summer flowers are a boon to honeybees and other pollinators which are stocking up for the winter.
Partridge Peas typically grow in thick clusters with full sun exposure and are about three feet tall. They are covered by yellow blooms during the diminishing days of summer, serving as a seasonal multi-purpose buffet for local wildlife.
Partridge Peas are an excellent native source of nectar for honeybees and other insects dependent upon it for their existence. In years gone by, beekeepers would move hives into close proximity to these plants.
The industrious honeybees compete for the nectar and use it to build honey reserves for over-wintering the hives. The heavy pollinator traffic assures the return of this annual plant in the spring of 2025.
Quail and turkey populations take advantage of the thick foliage and blooms also. The height and density of the vegetation provides excellent camouflage, especially for young, inexperienced birds unaware of the many hungry predators lurking nearby.
Through the actions of honeybees and other pollinators, Partridge Peas are high-volume seed producers. The seeds which do not find lodging under the thick mat of leaves and other organic matter will likely become a food source for quails, turkeys and other birds.
Nature preserves and hunting clubs now purchase partridge pea seeds in an effort to establish an attractive habitat for game bird populations.
Partridge Peas are also a plentiful food source for caterpillars. The tender, tantalizing leaves are easy picking for the late season insects which will return the courtesy and serve as pollinators in the future.
Human use of the Partridge Pea has varied over the years. It has had multiple uses in folk medicine preparations, primarily the leaves being used as a naturally occurring laxative. Given the toxic qualities of the plant, the cure was likely worse than the disease and is not recommended.
Livestock producers, as a group, work to minimize partridge peas in grazing areas because of its toxic potential to cattle. Since any bird passing by can drop a seed, the eradication effort is an ongoing project for herdsmen.
Partridge pea plants have been used for erosion control. The quick growing plants with a thick root mat and the ability to flourish on marginal soils make them a natural choice for this important application.
While it is true hurricanes and tropical storms can spread Partridge Pea seeds, it is much better for human residents, even in hot weather, to let the wildlife distribute this underappreciated plant.
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