Herbs, perennial, to 0.9 m; roots horizontal, rhizomelike. Stems erect, not or weakly branched. Leaves 3–8.5 cm; petiole 3–7 mm; extrafloral nectary 1, sub­sessile or shortly stipitate; leaf­lets 8–18(–20) pairs, blades lanceolate- or linear-oblong, 9–20 × 2–3.3 mm. Racemes 1–4-flowered, supra-axillary. Pedicels (6–)8–22(–26) mm; bracteoles distal to mid pedicel. Flowers: calyx greenish, sepal venation reticulate; corolla rich yellow, petals all or some reddish spotted at claw, to (6–)8–22(–26) mm; stamens 10; anthers all or some yellow, dull reddish, or both, to 8–10.5 mm; ovary often hairy, sometimes glabrous. Legumes straight or slightly curved, linear, 35–75(–85) × 4.5–6 mm. Seeds (2.8–)3.2–4.8 mm.

Phenology: Flowering spring–mid summer.
Habitat: Pine and pine-oak forests.
Elevation: 0–200 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ala., Fla., Ga., Miss.

Discussion

The horizontal root system of Chamaecrista deeringiana, the only feature distinguishing this species from sympatric specimens of C. fasciculata, is inter­preted as an adaptation to its fire-prone habitat.

Chamaecrista deeringiana is locally abundant in central and southern peninsular Florida, and in western Florida northward into Baldwin County, Alabama; it has also been documented from Peach and Taylor counties, Georgia, and Harrison County, Mississippi.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.