Plant is an upright, nearly smooth annual with a taproot. Preferred habitat is prairies, roadsides, fields and woodland edges. Distribution is throughout the Escambia region.

Leaves are alternate on the stem with leaflets arising in two ranks on opposite sides of the leaf stalk; sensitive (leaves fold upon touch). Leaflets are linear to oblong and form an angle to the left; tapering and pinched.

Flowers are in axillary clusters; bisexual; divided into two parts with each being the image of the other; five sepals; five petals; yellow; 10 brown or reddish stamens. Flowers occur in the summer.

Fruit is a legume.

The related C. nictitans has petals that are less than 1 cm long (very small).