The Partridge Pea’s flowers have 5 yellow petals of unequal size and irregular shape, about 1 inch across. The upper petals have red spots at the base and the lower petal is larger than the others. Stamens are yellow. The pistil extends conspicuously to the side opposite the stamens. The plant grows 2-3 feet tall, erect, usually with a few branches near the top. The leaves are alternate and have 8-14 pairs of small leaflets. Several buds grow on a short stem between the leaves near the top, but only 1 on each stem blooms at a time.