Status:
valid
Authors:
Polhill
Source:
ildis
Year:
1968
Citation Micro:
Kew Bull.22: 321 (1968)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000186900
Common Names
- Crotalaria subcaespitosa
- Tufted Rattlebox
- Tufted Crotalaria
Synonyms
- Crotalaria caespitosa Baker [illegitimate]
Description
Crotalaria subcaespitosa (also called 'Tufted Rattlebox', among many other common names) is an annual herbaceous plant native to South America. It has a woody stem and its leaves are pinnately compound. It grows in open grasslands and savannas.
Uses & Benefits
Crotalaria subcaespitosa is used as an ornamental plant, as it has attractive yellow flowers. It can also be used as a windbreak, as a source of food for livestock, and as a soil stabilizer.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Crotalaria subcaespitosa has yellow flowers with five petals. The seeds are small and black. The seedlings have two pairs of leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Crotalaria subcaespitosa is a small, deciduous shrub that grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It can be propagated from seed or from cuttings taken in early summer. The cuttings should be about 6 inches long and should be planted in a mixture of sand and peat moss. Keep the cuttings moist and in a warm location until they have rooted. They can then be transplanted into the garden.
Where to Find Crotalaria subcaespitosa
Crotalaria subcaespitosa is native to India and can be found in the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas.
Crotalaria subcaespitosa FAQ
What are the common names of Crotalaria subcaespitosa?
Crotalaria subcaespitosa is commonly known as the Subcaespitose Crotalaria.
What is the growth habit of Crotalaria subcaespitosa?
Crotalaria subcaespitosa is an annual or perennial herb with a prostrate or ascending growth habit.
What is the flowering period of Crotalaria subcaespitosa?
Crotalaria subcaespitosa typically flowers from mid-spring to mid-summer.
Species in the Crotalaria genus
Crotalaria brevipedunculata,
Crotalaria mexicana,
Crotalaria nayaritensis,
Crotalaria rzedowskii,
Crotalaria filifolia,
Crotalaria grandiflora,
Crotalaria martiana,
Crotalaria polyphylla,
Crotalaria purdieana,
Crotalaria quercetorum,
Crotalaria quinquefolia,
Crotalaria berteroana,
Crotalaria brachycarpa,
Crotalaria breviflora,
Crotalaria bupleurifolia,
Crotalaria flavicoma,
Crotalaria hilariana,
Crotalaria holosericea,
Crotalaria longirostrata,
Crotalaria mollicula,
Crotalaria nana,
Crotalaria nitens,
Crotalaria pilosa,
Crotalaria pumila,
Crotalaria purshii,
Crotalaria rufipila,
Crotalaria sagittalis,
Crotalaria tetragona,
Crotalaria unifoliolata,
Crotalaria velutina,
Crotalaria vespertilio,
Crotalaria bahiaensis,
Crotalaria boliviensis,
Crotalaria goiasensis,
Crotalaria harleyi,
Crotalaria irwinii,
Crotalaria semperflorens,
Crotalaria schiedeana,
Crotalaria grandiflora,
Crotalaria lotifolia,
Crotalaria gloriae,
Crotalaria balansae,
Crotalaria maypurensis,
Crotalaria rotundifolia,
Crotalaria angulata,
Crotalaria allophylla,
Crotalaria intricata,
Crotalaria warfae,
Crotalaria vitellina,
Crotalaria cajanifolia,
Species in the Fabaceae family