showy crotalaria
COMMON NAME: | Showy crotalaria | |
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SCIENTIFIC NAME: | Crotalaria spectabilis | |
FAMILY: | Fabaceae | |
LIFECYCLE: | Annual | |
FEATURES: | Simple spatulate leaves (most legumes are compound)– lower leaves can die away as plant ages. Large showy yellow flowers with typical banner, wings, and keel typical of legumes. Flowers occur at apex of plant. Produces a hollow seed/bean pod that rattles when dry. |
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DESCRIPTION: | Toxic plant to livestock when seeds or vegetation is consumed (alkaloid toxicity). Tall growing annual legume with showy yellow flowers. Often referred to as rattlesnake weed or rattlebox because seed will separate from replum when dry and will create a rattling sound when disturbed. |