Broad-leaved rattlepod
Crotalaria pallida

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 1-2 m tall and spreads 0.5-1 m wide. The branches are erect and have silky hairs when young. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaf stalks are 3-9 cm long. The leaflets are 5-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are oblong and grey-green. They have silky hairs underneath. The flowers occur in clusters that are 15-20 cm long. These are at the ends of branches. The flowers are 1-1.5 cm long and golden yellow. They have prominent lines along them. The fruit are pods 2.5-3.5 cm long and narrow.

There are about 550 Crotalaria species. They are mostly tropical.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows near the edges of roads. It needs a sunny position. It is best in light to medium, well drained soil. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,500 m above sea level. It is resistant to frost and drought. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, China, Christmas Island, East Africa, Easter Island, Fiji, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tuvalu, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The flowers are eaten as a vegetable. The roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute. The seeds are made into a fermented food. CAUTION: They contain a poisonous alkaloid that needs to be removed during preparation. It is used as a substrate for fermenting wine.

Edible parts

Flowers, vegetable, seeds - coffee, caution

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed need to be treated to break the hard seed coat.

Its other names

Local names

Broad-leaved rattle pod, Changkraeng sva sanndaek kuey, Chhinchhine swan, Chongkrong sva, Geger sore, Ge ling lu, Gelur, Gerong, Ghantakaran, Giring-giring, Hing hia, Hong hai, Jae gwae po, Jhumkhuna, Jhunjhunia, Kachang riang-riang, Kronchongan, Ma ching chan, N'far, N'tume, Orok-orok, Rang-rang, Unfar, Untume, Vihagiguni, Za kuo luo kuo

Synonyms

Crotalaria aschrek Forskk.; Crotalaria falcata Vahl; Crotalaria mucronata Desv.; Crotalaria striata DC.;