Chapman’s wild sensitive plant is native to Miami-Dade County Florida, and the Florida Keys. It is found in
pinelands, hammocks, and dunes, in calcarous, sandy, or loamy soils. It is considered a threatened species,
due to its limited range.
Plants: Plants reach 3-9′ (91-274 cm) in height, producing
rounded clumps, with multiple
stems.
Leaves: Leaves are even pinnate and alternate.
Leaflets are linear to elliptic, and less than 2″ (5 cm) long. A gland at the base of each leaflet attracts
ants that attack marauding caterpillars, as described in an article in The Florida Entomologist.
Flowers: Flowers are yellow, ½-1″ (1.3-2.5 cm) around, with
five petals.
Fruits: Shaped like beans, 3-6″ (7.6-15 cm) long and about
¼″ (6.3 mm) in diameter. They turn brown and persist in the winter.