There are extrafloral nectaries on the leaf stems, which attract a different set of insects: sweat bees, flies, wasps, and ants.

Like other legumes, the plant displays nyctinasty, which is a circadian rhythmic nastic movement wherein the leaves open and close in response to day and night cycles.

[8] The seed is one of the major food items of northern bobwhite and other quail species because it remains in sound condition throughout the winter and early spring.

Seeds of this legume are also eaten by the greater and lesser prairie-chicken, ring-necked pheasant, mallard, grassland birds, and field mice.

Nectar is not available in the flowers of showy partridge pea but is produced by small orange glands at the base of each leaf.