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Plants of the Omaha Indian Reservation
An Ethonobotanical Report
Partridge Pea Description Partridge pea is a native annual forb that grows to the height of 1 to 3 feet. The leaves consist of 10 to 15 pairs of small, narrow leaflets that are somewhat delicate to the touch. The showy yellow flowers, about 1 inch across, grow to 2 to 4 together in clusters on the stem. Flowers normally bloom July through September. The fruit is a straight, narrow pod 1¢ to 2¢ inches long, which splits along 2 structures as it dries; the pod sides spiral to expel the seeds some distance from the parent plant.
Location and Habitat Partridge pea grows on prairies, riverbanks, and river bottoms, as well as upland woods of the Great Plains. Partridge pea is common to sandy savannahs of the lower Gulf Coastal Plain. Partridge pea is primarily found in the eastern one-third of Nebraska on rangeland, disturbed sites, and roadsides. Partridge pea can be found near the senior citizen complex on the Omaha Indian Reservation. I expected to find partridge pea in cool, damp and shady areas. Uses The Cherokee drug used partridge pea as a sports medicine and a stimulant. The Seminole drug use partridge pea as an antiemetic. The Seminole also use partridge pea as a tool. The seed of partridge pea I used as a choice of food for upland game birds and song birds. Cattle and deer consume the foliage of partridge pea. Numerous songbirds eat the seeds. It provides excellent cover for upland game birds, and quail particularly seek its cover and seeds. Partridge pea is an important honey plant. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental. Butterfly gardeners discovered cassias because they are the larval food plant for several of the most attractive sulfur butterflies in Florida. Partridge pea is used to attract songbirds and other bird species to an area. Partridge pea is used as a winter food for quails. The seed of partridge pea is one of the major food sources for bobwhites and quail because it remains in sound condition through out winter and early spring. Partridge pea is used along roadsides to control erosion. Partridge pea is used as a remedy for stomach ache and fever. Partridge pea is used by farmers to cover crops to improve soil structure and fertility, decrease soil erosion, provide foliage and animal feed, and suppress crop pests such as weeds, insects, nematodes, and plant pathogens including fungi.
By: Janet Hallowell
This Page was last update: Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 10:39:35 AM This site is using the Wood Grain 1.0 theme. |
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