Rattlebox Crotalaria albida
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Rattlebox:
- Phonetic Spelling
- kroh-tuh-LAIR-ee-uh AL-bi-da
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- 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 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.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This genus is considered invasive in North Carolina.
- 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 and Subtropical Asia and Australia
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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
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Winter
- 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 Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
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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:
- Invasive Species
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
