Long-beak rattlepod
Crotalaria longirostrata
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A herb or shrub. It is erect and grows 1.5 m high. The leaves are deep green. They are compound and alternate. The flowers are yellow.
There are about 550 Crotalaria species. They are mostly tropical. It strongly fixes nitrogen improving the soil.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It will grow to 2,300 m in Guatemala.
Countries/locations it is found in
Central America (country/location of origin), Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hawaii, Honduras, Mexico, North America, Panama, South America, USA
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked and eaten. The leaves can be ground with garlic and put on bread of added to white sauce. They add a very distinctive favour. It can be dried and stored. Caution: Some Crotalarias contain alkaloids and this plant should probably be eaten only in small amounts in soups.
It is a cultivated food plant.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers
How it is grown
It grows very quickly during the rainy season. It will produce edible leaves for 6 months before needing replanting.
Its other names
Local names
Castanet-plant, Chepil, Chipil, Chipilan, Chipilin, Chipilino, Parrajachel, Tachipilin