Crotalaria albida
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kroh-tuh-LAIR-ee-uh AL-bi-da
- Description
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Rattlebox is an annual or short-lived perennial plant in the Fabaceae (bean) family. In its native habitat, it can be found growing in dry, deciduous and open forests, as well as in jungles and open grassland. It is native to tropical and subtropical Asia.
It grows in the full sun in well-drained soils that range from moist to dry. Being a legume, its roots fix nitrogen some of which is used by the plants but some of which can also benefit neighboring plants.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Crotalaria
- Species:
- albida
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical & Subtropical Asia
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Legume less than 1 inch long with 6-12 seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pea-like flowers form along the raceme. The back of the flowers have hairs.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Obovate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Simple green leaves are oblanceolate, elliptic, or obovate with short or no stems. They are 2/3 to 1 inch long and less than 2/3 inch wide
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Branches occur at the base of the stem occasionally along the stem.
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
