A member of the pea family, partridge pea is best known as a producer of valuable cover and food for upland game birds, waterfowl, and various small mammals. However, it also happens to be found across a large portion of the whitetail’s range and provides deer with moderate to preferred browse during the summer and early autumn months. Recognized by several common names (sleeping plant, showy partridge pea, locust weed, and others), partridge pea occurs throughout the central, south-central and eastern United States and is a native, upright, annual legume that shows off with ornate leaves, flowers and fruit.
Key Takeaways:
- The Partridge Pea, aka the sleeping plant, is grown within various environments in North America.
- The Partridge Plant is drought tolerant and can be used for erosion control.
- The Partridge Plant can be grown in mostly any soil. Its growth can be aided by nitrogen compounds.
“A member of the legume family, partridge pea is a critical source of nutrition for quail, ring-necked pheasant, prairie chickens and other grassland birds.”