Rattlebox
Crotalaria spectabilis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An annual herb or small shrub. It grows 2 m high. The leaves are 5-15 cm long The flowers are in groups of 20-50 in stalks 25-45 cm long at the ends of branches. The flowers are yellow. The fruit is 2-5 cm long. There are 20-30 seeds.

There are about 550 Crotalaria species. They are mostly tropical. The plant is poisonous to animals.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is best in a light to medium, well-drained soil. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, South America, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Flower

How it is grown

It is grown from seed. The seed need treatment to break the hard seed coat. It can be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ban sanai, Ghantarava, Jhumjhumo, Jhunjhunia, Pipuli jhunjhun

Synonyms

Crotalaria sericea Retz.;