Need Identification

[Janet Harrington]

Janet, I tried to send the pictures to Robert Thurston, one of the Horticulturist at the Wild Animal Park, to see if he could identify the plant.  Here is what he wrote:

For some reason, the pictures did not come through. The text of what they are is written on the bottom of the page but no attachments received. Try again as I would love to see them.

So, if you could e-mail the pictures to "rthurston@sandiegozoo.org" I'm sure he will try to identify the plant. 

Have a good day!

Bonnie,

Of course, I will.  Thanks.

[Janet Harrington]

The e-mail has been sent and we will await his answer.

[Bonnie M.]

The e-mail has been sent and we will await his answer

Robert doesn't work on the week-ends (usually,) so I'm sure it will be sometime next week before he answers.  So, we'll "wait and see!"

[Janet Harrington]

An answer came to my e-mail today from Robert Thurston, the friend of Bonnie M's.  Here is his answer about the plant.

Hello Janet:

I did a little research into Partridge Peas and this is what I found. Partridge Pea is  (or was until it was renamed) a member of the genus Cassia - many species of which are common ornamentals. Cassias have yellow flowers, clustered on the ends of branches. Since they are a legume, the seed pods are bean like (or pea like), and they have divided leaves. Most of the ornamental Cassias that I am familiar with are 6 - 10 ft tall but the pictures that you sent me sure look like miniature versions of the cassias that I am familiar with. I would agree that it is most probably a Partridge Pea. Cassias are a different type of legume than beans or Lupines -  they don't have that typical "sweet pea" type of flower with the typical banner and keel. Just for fun, the third sub-family of legumes are the Acacias - no petals at all. They all have "bean" pods though. Do Partridge Peas smell funny? Many of the ornamental Cassias (lots in South America) have a peculiar odor to the foliage? just curious.

Sincerely
Robert Thurston

Thank you Robert Thurston, and yes, forum members, I did thank him by e-mail and told him I was glad that Bonnie M. had a friend like him.

[Wilma]

I don't know about the fragrance of the flowers.  For some strange reason because I always smell flowers, I did not smell these flowers and now they are gone.  The plant, however, is going to stay and I will smell them next summer.  The seed pods smelled like shelling green peas.

Janet, is there any way you could send this to your Aunt June?

[Janet Harrington]

Why, yes, yes I can.   

[Bonnie M.]

Janet, I had a note from my friend, Robert Thurston, also.  So, I think the mystery is resolved, or, maybe it always was!  Robert has a whole lot of knowledge, regarding plants!  I have a feeling that he enjoyed hearing from you, and providing an answer.

[Janet Harrington]

I think he did, too.  I enjoyed hearing from him and his words were just like he was my next door neighbor.

[Bonnie M.]

He's that kind of a person.  Never too busy to help out.