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Crotalaria pallida Aiton
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Crotalaria mucronata Desv., Crotalaria striata DC |
| Common Name: | Rattlebox |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Uncertain, but likely tropical Africa |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Foliage | Compound leaves are composed of 3 oblong to elliptic leaflets (elongated to oval) which are 3-6 cm long and 1.5-3 cm wide. The upper surface is hairless, while the lower surface is sparsely covered in silky hairs. |
|---|---|
| Stems | Stems are ribbed and densely covered in hairs pressed against the stem surface. |
| Flowers | About 10-40 yellow flowers are arranged in a spike-like inflorescence known as a raceme. |
| Fruit | The fruit is an elongated legume (3-4 cm long, 0.5-0.8 cm wide) which contains 20-30 seeds. Immature fruits are softly hairy, but become hairless at maturity. |
| Habitat | Occurs in grasslands and disturbed areas with sandy soils. |
| Cultivation | The seeds germination is fast, however, it takes about 1 month to start producting 3 leaves and roots to be fully developed. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Caterpillar Food Plant (Associated with: Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767)), Bee-Attracting |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Compound |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Recticulate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Numerous (>20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 595 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1890 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
