Description

**Please note: This is an annual plant that maintains its presence in the garden due to reliable self-seeding, and thus is classified here as a perennial.**

A self-seeding annual that is good for erosion control and fixing nitrogen in the soil. Leaves of many small, yellow-green leaflets which fold together when touched and in darkness. Large, showy, yellow flowers. Green seed pods matures to brown before splitting open in fall to explosively expel seeds. Favors somewhat poor soils because of reduced competition from other plants. Special value to native bees, supports beneficial insects, larval host plant and attracts birds.

Height: 1-3 ft.
Spread: 1-3 ft.
Family: Fabaceae
Bloom time: June to September
Sun: full sun
Water: dry to medium
Deer do browse.

photo credit: Fritz Flohr Reynolds