Crotalaria vasculosa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An annual shrub. The lower branches hang down. The leaves have short leaf stalks. The leaves are compound with 3 leaflets. The leaflets are 3-8 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flowering stalks are short and at the top of the plant. They are 3-17 cm long with many flowers. The flowers are pale yellow with purple veins. The pod does not have a stalk. The pod is 2 cm long and cylinder shaped but with a pint. It is covered with brown hairs. There are about 20 seeds. The seeds are 2.5 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,100 m above sea level. It grows in open woodland, grassland and along streams.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Crotalaria rufocarpa;