Velvet-leaf wild sensitive-plant, also known as Lindheimer's senna, is a bushy perennial that grows 3-6 feet high. It produces yellow flowers, each around 1 1/2 inches in size, arranged in terminal or upper axillary, spike-like racemes. The five oval petals have crimped edges. The compound leaves are covered in soft hairs and consist of 4-8 pairs of oval leaflets, sometimes pointed, arranged spirally around the stems.

This plant is great as a specimen or background plant in a wildflower garden. It also provides essential seeds as a food source for birds.