Galactia smallii is a rare species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Small's milkpea.

The habitat is maintained by a natural fire regime of periodic wildfire which prevents the succession of the pine rockland to a hammock ecosystem.

Fire clears overgrown tall and woody vegetation to maintain the characteristic open canopy.

In the absence of fire the open canopy fills in with brush and mature trees and Small's milkpea cannot tolerate the shade.

[5] Appropriate land management in the pine rocklands involves controlled burns to mimic the natural pattern.