Chamaecrista nictitans is an
annual, low-growing herb that grows from a taproot and often spreads to form extensive mats. Its stems range from
glabrous to densely covered with incurved
trichomes. The plant features sensitive leaves with a slender stalk and an umbrella-shaped gland measuring approximately 0.4 to 0.8 mm in diameter. Persistent striate are located just below the leaves. The flowers appear in the
axils either singly or in groups of two to three, arranged in short
racemes.
Pedicels are 1 to 4 mm long. The
sepals are lanceolate-acuminate, measuring 3 to 4 mm in length. The petals are bright yellow and unequal in size, with the lowermost and largest petal being 6 to 8 mm long—roughly twice the size of the other four. The plant bears five
stamens of unequal length. Its fruit is a legume that opens elastically when mature, ranging from 2 to 4 cm long and 3 to 6 mm wide. The surface of the legume varies from smooth to densely hairy, and in rare cases, it may appear shaggy.
C. nictitans is similar in appearance to
Chamaecrista fasciculata except that the leaves are generally smaller, it is less robust, and the flowers are smaller and inconspicuous. ==Distribution and habitat==