PARTRIDGE PEA Meaning and
Definition
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Partridge pea refers to a flowering plant scientifically known as Chamaecrista fasciculata, belonging to the pea family (Fabaceae). Native to the Eastern and Southern regions of North America, it is also commonly called sensitive partridge pea, wild sensitive plant, or sleeping plant.
Partridge pea is an herbaceous annual plant that grows up to 1-3 feet tall. It has an erect and branching stem with feathery, dark green, pinnate leaves that measure around six inches long. The most distinctive feature of this plant is its bright yellow flowers that bloom in clusters on slender stalks. These flowers have five petals, with an upper banner petal and two lower petals fused to form a keel. The plant typically blooms from late spring through early fall.
Partridge pea is known for its fascinating phenomenon of leaf folding. Its compound leaves fold up when touched, shaken, or exposed to extreme heat or cold. This characteristic is an adaptation mechanism to conserve water during drought or prevent heat loss during low temperatures.
Moreover, partridge pea has ecological importance as it is a nitrogen-fixing legume. It forms a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria that helps convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, enriching the soil. As a result, it provides a valuable source of nitrogen for surrounding plants.
In conclusion, partridge pea is a flowering plant that displays remarkable leaf folding behavior and belongs to the pea family. It features bright yellow flowers and serves as a nitrogen-fixing legume, contributing to soil enrichment in its native habitats.
Common Misspellings for PARTRIDGE PEA
- oartridge pea
- lartridge pea
- -artridge pea
- 0artridge pea
- pzrtridge pea
- psrtridge pea
- pwrtridge pea
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- paetridge pea
- padtridge pea
- paftridge pea
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- pa5tridge pea
- pa4tridge pea
- parrridge pea
- parfridge pea
- pargridge pea
- paryridge pea
- par6ridge pea
Etymology of PARTRIDGE PEA
The word "partridge pea" is a combination of two components.
The term "partridge" originally referred to a bird species commonly known as the partridge, which belongs to the pheasant family. It derived from the Old French word "perdix", meaning partridge, which can be traced back to the Latin word "perdix" as well.
The term "pea" refers to the plant's characteristic yellow flowers, which resemble those of pea plants. The word "pea" comes from the Old English word "pise", which has Germanic roots.
Combining these two components, "partridge pea" refers to a plant with yellow pea-like flowers, believed to be attractive to partridges.
Similar spelling word for PARTRIDGE PEA
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