714 Species of Genus Crotalaria

Rattlepods: A Deep Dive with Ferb Vu

The world of plants is vast and diverse, filled with fascinating specimens that capture the imagination. As a plant enthusiast, I, Ferb Vu, am particularly drawn to the genus Crotalaria, commonly known as rattlepods. These plants, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae, are characterized by their inflated seed pods that rattle when shaken, hence their common name. This intriguing characteristic, along with their vibrant flowers and diverse growth habits, makes them a captivating subject for study and appreciation.

A Global Distribution with an African Heart

Crotalaria boasts a cosmopolitan distribution, with species found across the globe. However, the genus displays a clear center of diversity in Africa, where the majority of its estimated 700 species occur. This concentration suggests an African origin for the genus, with subsequent dispersal to other continents. From the grasslands of Africa to the tropics of Asia and the Americas, rattlepods have carved out their niche in a variety of habitats.

Diversity in Form and Function

Rattlepods exhibit a remarkable range of growth forms, from herbaceous annuals and perennials to woody shrubs. This diversity is reflected in their leaves, which can be simple or compound, and their flowers, which typically display vibrant hues of yellow, but can also be purple, blue, or red. This variation underscores the adaptability of the genus, allowing it to thrive in a wide range of ecological conditions.

A Selection of Notable Species

With hundreds of species, the genus Crotalaria offers a rich tapestry of botanical diversity. Here are:

1. Crotalaria abbreviata Baker f.
2. Crotalaria abscondita Welw. ex Baker
3. Crotalaria acicularis Buch.-Ham. ex Benth.
4. Crotalaria aculeata De Wild.
5. Crotalaria adamii R.Wilczek
6. Crotalaria adamsonii Baker f.
7. Crotalaria adariensis D.Subram.
8. Crotalaria adenocarpoides Taub.
9. Crotalaria adolfi Harms
10. Crotalaria aegyptiaca Benth.
11. Crotalaria afrocentralis Polhill
12. Crotalaria agatiflora Schweinf.
13. Crotalaria aiantha Adema
14. Crotalaria aidiostipulata Gilli
15. Crotalaria alata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don
16. Crotalaria albicaulis Franch.
17. Crotalaria albida B.Heyne ex Roth
18. Crotalaria alemanniana Torre
19. Crotalaria alexandri Baker f.
20. Crotalaria allophylla Thulin
21. Crotalaria alticola Polhill
22. Crotalaria amoena Welw. ex Baker
23. Crotalaria andringitrensis R.Vig.
24. Crotalaria andromedifolia R.Wilczek
25. Crotalaria androyensis R.Vig.
26. Crotalaria angulata Mill.
27. Crotalaria angulicaulis Harms
28. Crotalaria anisophylla (Hiern) Welw. ex Baker f.
29. Crotalaria ankaizinensis R.Vig.
30. Crotalaria ankaratrana R.Vig.
31. Crotalaria annamensis P.Dy Phon
32. Crotalaria anningensis X.Y.Zhu & Y.F.Du
33. Crotalaria annua Milne-Redh.
34. Crotalaria anomala R.Vig.
35. Crotalaria anthyllopsis Welw. ex Baker
36. Crotalaria antunesii Baker f.
37. Crotalaria arcuata Polhill
38. Crotalaria arenaria Benth.
39. Crotalaria argenteotomentosa R.Wilczek
40. Crotalaria argyraea Welw. ex Baker
41. Crotalaria argyrolobioides Baker
42. Crotalaria aridicola Domin
43. Crotalaria arrecta Hemp & Polhill
44. Crotalaria arushae Milne-Redh. ex Polhill
45. Crotalaria assadii Zaeifi
46. Crotalaria assurgens Polhill
47. Crotalaria atrorubens Hochst. ex Benth.
48. Crotalaria aurea Dinter ex Baker f.
49. Crotalaria avonensis DeLaney & Wunderlin
50. Crotalaria awasensis Thulin
51. Crotalaria axillaris Aiton
52. Crotalaria axilliflora Baker f.
53. Crotalaria axillifloroides Baker f. ex R.Wilczek
54. Crotalaria bahiaensis Windler & S.G.Skinner
55. Crotalaria bakeriana Rossberg
56. Crotalaria balansae Micheli
57. Crotalaria balbi Chiov.
58. Crotalaria ballyi Polhill
59. Crotalaria bamendae Hepper
60. Crotalaria barbata Graham ex Wight & Arn.
61. Crotalaria barkae Schweinf.
62. Crotalaria barnabassii Dinter ex Baker f.
63. Crotalaria basipeta R.Wilczek
64. Crotalaria baumii Harms
65. Crotalaria becquetii Baker f. ex R.Wilczek
66. Crotalaria beddomeana Thoth. & A.A.Ansari
67. Crotalaria bemba R.Wilczek
68. Crotalaria benadirensis Chiov.
69. Crotalaria benguellensis Baker f.
70. Crotalaria bequaertii Baker f.
71. Crotalaria bernieri Baill.
72. Crotalaria berteroana DC.
73. Crotalaria bhutanica Thoth.
74. Crotalaria bifaria L.f.
75. Crotalaria blanda Polhill
76. Crotalaria boehmii Taub.
77. Crotalaria bogdaniana Polhill
78. Crotalaria boliviensis Windler & S.G.Skinner
79. Crotalaria bondii Baker f. ex Torre
80. Crotalaria bongensis Baker f.
81. Crotalaria boranica Harms ex Baker f.
82. Crotalaria bosseri M.Peltier
83. Crotalaria boudetii Polhill
84. Crotalaria boutiqueana R.Wilczek
85. Crotalaria brachycarpa Benth.
86. Crotalaria bracteata Roxb. ex DC.
87. Crotalaria bredoi R.Wilczek
88. Crotalaria brevicornuta Polhill
89. Crotalaria brevidens Benth.
90. Crotalaria breviflora DC.
91. Crotalaria brevipedunculata Windler
92. Crotalaria brevis Domin
93. Crotalaria bupleurifolia Schltdl. & Cham.
94. Crotalaria burhia Buch.-Ham. ex Benth.
95. Crotalaria burkeana Benth.
96. Crotalaria burttii Baker f.
97. Crotalaria cabui R.Wilczek
98. Crotalaria cajanifolia Kunth
99. Crotalaria callensii R.Wilczek
100. Crotalaria calliantha Polhill
101. Crotalaria calva R.Vig.
102. Crotalaria calycina Schrank
103. Crotalaria cambodiensis P.Dy Phon
104. Crotalaria campestris Polhill
105. Crotalaria camptosepala Thulin
106. Crotalaria candicans Wight & Arn.
107. Crotalaria capensis Jacq.
108. Crotalaria capillipes Polhill
109. Crotalaria capuronii M.Peltier
110. Crotalaria carrissoana Torre
111. Crotalaria carsonii Baker f.
112. Crotalaria carsonioides R.Wilczek
113. Crotalaria caudata Welw. ex Baker
114. Crotalaria cephalotes Steud. ex A.Rich.
115. Crotalaria chaco-serranensis H.G.Bach & Fortunato
116. Crotalaria chamaepeuce Polhill
117. Crotalaria chinensis L.
118. Crotalaria chirindae Baker f.
119. Crotalaria chondrocarpa Polhill
120. Crotalaria chrysantha Ahn & S.H.Park
121. Crotalaria chrysochlora Baker f. ex Harms
122. Crotalaria chrysotricha Polhill
123. Crotalaria cistoides Welw. ex Baker
124. Crotalaria clarkei Gamble
125. Crotalaria claussenii Benth.
126. Crotalaria clavata Wight & Arn.
127. Crotalaria cleomifolia Welw. ex Baker
128. Crotalaria cobalticola P.A.Duvign. & Plancke
129. Crotalaria collina Polhill
130. Crotalaria colorata Schinz
131. Crotalaria comanestiana Volkens & Schweinf.
132. Crotalaria comosa Baker
133. Crotalaria concinna Polhill
134. Crotalaria confertiflora Polhill
135. Crotalaria confusa Hepper
136. Crotalaria congesta Polhill
137. Crotalaria congoensis Baker f.
138. Crotalaria cordata Welw. ex Baker
139. Crotalaria cornetii Taub. & Dewèvre
140. Crotalaria cornu-ammonis R.Vig.
141. Crotalaria corymbosa Torre
142. Crotalaria coursii Pelt.
143. Crotalaria craspedocarpa R.Vig.
144. Crotalaria crebra Polhill
145. Crotalaria criniramea Baker f. ex Polhill
146. Crotalaria crispata F.Muell. ex Benth.
147. Crotalaria cunninghamii R.Br.
148. Crotalaria cupricola Leteint.
149. Crotalaria cuspidata Taub.
150. Crotalaria cyanea Baker
151. Crotalaria cyanoxantha R.Vig.
152. Crotalaria cylindrica A.Rich.
153. Crotalaria cylindrocarpa DC.
154. Crotalaria cylindrostachys Welw. ex Baker
155. Crotalaria cytisoides Roxb. ex DC.
156. Crotalaria dalensis Torre
157. Crotalaria damarensis Engl.
158. Crotalaria dasyclada Polhill
159. Crotalaria debilis Polhill
160. Crotalaria decaryana R.Vig.
161. Crotalaria decora Polhill
162. Crotalaria dedzana Polhill
163. Crotalaria deflersii Schweinf.
164. Crotalaria deightonii Hepper
165. Crotalaria densicephala Welw. ex Baker
166. Crotalaria depressa Polhill
167. Crotalaria desaegeri R.Wilczek
168. Crotalaria descampsii Micheli
169. Crotalaria deserticola Taub. ex Baker f.
170. Crotalaria dewildemaniana R.Wilczek
171. Crotalaria digitata Hook.
172. Crotalaria dilatata Polhill
173. Crotalaria diminuta Polhill
174. Crotalaria dinteri Schinz
175. Crotalaria diosmifolia Benth.
176. Crotalaria dissitiflora Benth.
177. Crotalaria distans Benth.
178. Crotalaria distantiflora Baker f.
179. Crotalaria doidgeae I.Verd.
180. Crotalaria dolichantha Polhill
181. Crotalaria dolichonyx Baker f. & W.Martin
182. Crotalaria doniana Baker
183. Crotalaria dubia Graham ex Benth.
184. Crotalaria duboisii R.Wilczek
185. Crotalaria dumosa Franch.
186. Crotalaria dura J.M.Wood & M.S.Evans
187. Crotalaria durandiana R.Wilczek
188. Crotalaria duvigneaudii Timp.
189. Crotalaria ebenoides (Guill. & Perr.) Walp.
190. Crotalaria edmundi-bakeri R.Vig.
191. Crotalaria egregia Polhill
192. Crotalaria elisabethae Baker f.
193. Crotalaria emarginata Bojer ex Benth.
194. Crotalaria emarginella Vatke
195. Crotalaria emirnensis Benth.
196. Crotalaria ephemera Polhill
197. Crotalaria epunctata Dalzell
198. Crotalaria eremaea F.Muell.
199. Crotalaria eremicola Baker f.
200. Crotalaria ericoides Torre
201. Crotalaria eriocarpa Benth.
202. Crotalaria erythrophleba Welw. ex Baker
203. Crotalaria eurycalyx Polhill
204. Crotalaria evolvuloides Wight
205. Crotalaria exaltata Polhill
206. Crotalaria excisa (Thunb.) Baker f.
207. Crotalaria exelliana R.Wilczek
208. Crotalaria exilipes Polhill
209. Crotalaria exilis Polhill
210. Crotalaria eximia Polhill
211. Crotalaria fallax Chiov.
212. Crotalaria fascicularis Polhill
213. Crotalaria fenarolii Torre
214. Crotalaria fiherenensis R.Vig.
215. Crotalaria filicaulis Welw. ex Baker
216. Crotalaria filifolia Rose
217. Crotalaria filiformis Wall. ex Benth.
218. Crotalaria filipes Benth.
219. Crotalaria flavicarinata Baker f.
220. Crotalaria flavicoma Benth.
221. Crotalaria florida Welw. ex Baker
222. Crotalaria formosa Graham ex Wight & Arn.
223. Crotalaria friesii I.Verd.
224. Crotalaria fysonii Dunn
225. Crotalaria gajureliana Gholave, Madhav & Gosavi
226. Crotalaria gamwelliae Baker f.
227. Crotalaria gazensis Baker f.
228. Crotalaria germainii R.Wilczek
229. Crotalaria giessii M.M.le Roux & B.-E.van Wyk
230. Crotalaria gillettii Polhill
231. Crotalaria glabripedicellata R.Wilczek
232. Crotalaria glauca Willd.
233. Crotalaria glaucifolia Baker
234. Crotalaria glaucoides Baker f.
235. Crotalaria globifera E.Mey.
236. Crotalaria globosa Wight & Arn.
237. Crotalaria gloriae Bernal
238. Crotalaria gnidioides R.Wilczek
239. Crotalaria goetzei Harms
240. Crotalaria goiasensis Windler & S.G.Skinner
241. Crotalaria goodiiformis Vatke
242. Crotalaria goreensis Guill. & Perr.
243. Crotalaria gracilipes O.Lachenaud
244. Crotalaria grahamiana Wight & Arn.
245. Crotalaria graminicola Taub. ex Baker f.
246. Crotalaria grandibracteata Taub.
247. Crotalaria grandiflora Benth.
248. Crotalaria grandistipulata Harms
249. Crotalaria grata Polhill
250. Crotalaria greenwayi Baker f.
251. Crotalaria grevei Drake
252. Crotalaria griquensis Bolus
253. Crotalaria griseofusca Baker f.
254. Crotalaria hainanensis R.F.Huang
255. Crotalaria handelii E.Peter
256. Crotalaria harleyi Windler & S.G.Skinner
257. Crotalaria haumaniana R.Wilczek
258. Crotalaria hebecarpa (DC.) Rudd
259. Crotalaria heidmannii Schinz
260. Crotalaria hemsleyi Milne-Redh.
261. Crotalaria herpetoclada Rossberg
262. Crotalaria heteromorpha Soto-Estrada & Cruz Durán
263. Crotalaria heterotricha Polhill
264. Crotalaria heyneana Graham ex Wight & Arn.
265. Crotalaria hilariana Benth.
266. Crotalaria hirsuta Willd.
267. Crotalaria hirta Willd.
268. Crotalaria hoffmannii R.Wilczek
269. Crotalaria holoptera Welw. ex Baker
270. Crotalaria holosericea Nees & Mart.
271. Crotalaria horrida Polhill
272. Crotalaria huillensis Taub.
273. Crotalaria humbertiana M.Peltier
274. Crotalaria humbertii R.Vig.
275. Crotalaria humifusa Graham ex Benth.
276. Crotalaria humilis Eckl. & Zeyh.
277. Crotalaria hypargyrea Chiov.
278. Crotalaria hyssopifolia Klotzsch
279. Crotalaria ibityensis R.Vig. & Humbert
280. Crotalaria impressa Nees ex Walp.
281. Crotalaria incana L.
282. Crotalaria incompta N.E.Br.
283. Crotalaria incrassifolia Polhill
284. Crotalaria inequalis A.E.Holland
285. Crotalaria inflexa Polhill
286. Crotalaria inopinata (Harms) Polhill
287. Crotalaria insignis Polhill
288. Crotalaria intonsa Polhill
289. Crotalaria intricata Thulin
290. Crotalaria involutifolia Polhill
291. Crotalaria inyangensis Polhill
292. Crotalaria ionoptera Polhill
293. Crotalaria iringana Harms
294. Crotalaria irwinii Windler & S.G.Skinner
295. Crotalaria isaloensis R.Vig.
296. Crotalaria ivantulensis Welw. ex Baker
297. Crotalaria jacksonii Baker f.
298. Crotalaria jerokoensis Baker f.
299. Crotalaria jianfengensis C.Y.Yang
300. Crotalaria jijigensis Thulin
301. Crotalaria johannis Torre
302. Crotalaria johnstonii Baker
303. Crotalaria jubae Polhill
304. Crotalaria juncea L.
305. Crotalaria jurioniana R.Wilczek
306. Crotalaria kambanguensis R.Wilczek
307. Crotalaria kambolensis Baker f.
308. Crotalaria kanaii H.Ohashi
309. Crotalaria kandoensis Baker f.
310. Crotalaria kapiriensis De Wild.
311. Crotalaria karagwensis Taub.
312. Crotalaria kassneri Baker f.
313. Crotalaria kelaensis Baker f.
314. Crotalaria keniensis Baker f.
315. Crotalaria kerkvoordei R.Wilczek
316. Crotalaria khasiana Balansa ex Thoth. & A.A.Ansari
317. Crotalaria kibaraensis R.Wilczek
318. Crotalaria kipandensis Baker f.
319. Crotalaria kipilaensis R.Wilczek
320. Crotalaria kirkii Baker
321. Crotalaria kodaiensis Debb. & Biswas
322. Crotalaria kolbergii M.M.le Roux & B.-E.van Wyk
323. Crotalaria kostermansii Niyomdham
324. Crotalaria kuiririensis Baker f.
325. Crotalaria kundelunguensis Baker f.
326. Crotalaria kurtii Schinz
327. Crotalaria kurzii Baker ex Kurz
328. Crotalaria kwengeensis R.Wilczek
329. Crotalaria laburnifolia L.
330. Crotalaria laburnoides Klotzsch
331. Crotalaria lachnocarpoides Engl.
332. Crotalaria lachnophora A.Rich.
333. Crotalaria lachnosema Stapf
334. Crotalaria laeta Mart. ex Benth.
335. Crotalaria laevigata Lam.
336. Crotalaria lanceolata E.Mey.
337. Crotalaria lancifoliolata Torre
338. Crotalaria larsenii Niyomdham
339. Crotalaria lasiocarpa Polhill
340. Crotalaria lathyroides Guill. & Perr.
341. Crotalaria lawalreeana R.Wilczek
342. Crotalaria laxiflora Baker
343. Crotalaria leandriana M.Peltier
344. Crotalaria lebeckioides Bond
345. Crotalaria lebrunii Baker f.
346. Crotalaria ledermannii Baker f.
347. Crotalaria leioloba Bartl.
348. Crotalaria leonardiana Timp.
349. Crotalaria lepidissima Baker f.
350. Crotalaria leprieurii Guill. & Perr.
351. Crotalaria leptocarpa Balf.f.
352. Crotalaria leptoclada Harms
353. Crotalaria leptostachya Benth.
354. Crotalaria leschenaultii DC.
355. Crotalaria leubnitziana Schinz
356. Crotalaria leucoclada Baker
357. Crotalaria lidiae Ram.-Hern. & Cruz Durán
358. Crotalaria limosa Polhill
359. Crotalaria linearifoliolata Chiov.
360. Crotalaria linifolia L.f.
361. Crotalaria lisowskii Polhill
362. Crotalaria loandae Baker f.
363. Crotalaria longiclavata Polhill
364. Crotalaria longidens Burtt Davy ex I.Verd.
365. Crotalaria longipes Wight & Arn.
366. Crotalaria longirostrata Hook. & Arn.
367. Crotalaria longithyrsa Baker f.
368. Crotalaria lotifolia L.
369. Crotalaria lotiformis Milne-Redh.
370. Crotalaria lotoides Benth.
371. Crotalaria lukafuensis De Wild.
372. Crotalaria lukomae Baker f.
373. Crotalaria lukwangulensis Harms
374. Crotalaria lundensis Torre
375. Crotalaria lunulata B.Heyne ex Wight & Arn.
376. Crotalaria luondeensis R.Wilczek
377. Crotalaria lusamboensis R.Wilczek
378. Crotalaria lusingaensis R.Wilczek
379. Crotalaria lutescens Dalzell
380. Crotalaria luxenii Baker f.
381. Crotalaria luzoniensis Adema
382. Crotalaria macrantha Polhill
383. Crotalaria macrocalyx Benth.
384. Crotalaria macrocarpa E.Mey.
385. Crotalaria madurensis Wight & Arn.
386. Crotalaria magaliesbergensis A.S.Flores & Sch.Rodr.
387. Crotalaria mahafalensis R.Vig.
388. Crotalaria mairei H.Lév.
389. Crotalaria malaissei Polhill
390. Crotalaria malindiensis Polhill
391. Crotalaria mandrarensis R.Vig.
392. Crotalaria manganifera Polhill
393. Crotalaria manongarivensis R.Vig.
394. Crotalaria martiana Benth.
395. Crotalaria massaiensis Taub.
396. Crotalaria mauensis Baker f.
397. Crotalaria maypurensis Kunth
398. Crotalaria medicaginea Lam.
399. Crotalaria meeboldii Dunn
400. Crotalaria meghalayensis Danda & A.K.Pandey
401. Crotalaria melanocalyx Polhill
402. Crotalaria melanocarpa Wall. ex Benth.
403. Crotalaria mendesii Torre
404. Crotalaria mendoncae Torre
405. Crotalaria mentiens Polhill
406. Crotalaria mesopontica Taub.
407. Crotalaria mexicana Windler
408. Crotalaria meyeriana Steud.
409. Crotalaria micans Link
410. Crotalaria micheliana R.Wilczek
411. Crotalaria micrantha Link
412. Crotalaria microcarpa Hochst. ex Benth.
413. Crotalaria microphylla Vahl
414. Crotalaria microthamnus Robyns ex R.Wilczek
415. Crotalaria mildbraedii Baker f.
416. Crotalaria milneana R.Wilczek
417. Crotalaria minutissima Baker f.
418. Crotalaria miottoae A.S.Flores & A.M.G.Azevedo
419. Crotalaria miranda Milne-Redh.
420. Crotalaria misella Polhill
421. Crotalaria mitchellii Benth.
422. Crotalaria mocubensis Polhill
423. Crotalaria modesta Polhill
424. Crotalaria mollicula Kunth
425. Crotalaria mollii Polhill
426. Crotalaria monophylla Germish.
427. Crotalaria montana Roxb. ex Roth
428. Crotalaria monteiroi Taub. ex Baker f.
429. Crotalaria mortonii Hepper
430. Crotalaria morumbensis Baker f.
431. Crotalaria mudugensis Thulin
432. Crotalaria muenzneri Baker f.
433. Crotalaria multibracteata S.A.Rather & A.K.Pandey
434. Crotalaria multiflora (Arn.) Benth.
435. Crotalaria mwangulangoi Gereau & Bodine
436. Crotalaria mysorensis Roth
437. Crotalaria namuliensis Polhill & T.Harris
438. Crotalaria nana Burm.f.
439. Crotalaria naragutensis Hutch.
440. Crotalaria natalensis Baker f.
441. Crotalaria natalitia Meisn.
442. Crotalaria nayaritensis Windler
443. Crotalaria nematophylla Baker f.
444. Crotalaria neriifolia Wall. ex Benth.
445. Crotalaria newtoniana Torre
446. Crotalaria nigricans Baker
447. Crotalaria nitens Kunth
448. Crotalaria notonii Wight & Arn.
449. Crotalaria novae-hollandiae DC.
450. Crotalaria nuda Polhill
451. Crotalaria nudiflora Polhill
452. Crotalaria nyikensis Baker
453. Crotalaria obscura DC.
454. Crotalaria obtecta Graham ex Wight & Arn.
455. Crotalaria occidentalis Hepper
456. Crotalaria occulta Graham ex Benth.
457. Crotalaria ochroleuca G.Don
458. Crotalaria oligosperma Polhill
459. Crotalaria oligostachya Baker
460. Crotalaria onobrychis A.Rich.
461. Crotalaria ononoides Benth.
462. Crotalaria onusta Polhill
463. Crotalaria oocarpa Baker
464. Crotalaria orientalis Burtt Davy ex I.Verd.
465. Crotalaria orixensis Willd.
466. Crotalaria orthoclada Welw. ex Baker
467. Crotalaria otoptera Benth.
468. Crotalaria ovata Polhill
469. Crotalaria oxyphylla Harms
470. Crotalaria oxyphylloides R.Wilczek
471. Crotalaria pallida Aiton
472. Crotalaria pallidicaulis Harms
473. Crotalaria paniculata Willd.
474. Crotalaria paracistoides Torre
475. Crotalaria paraspartea Polhill
476. Crotalaria parvula Welw. ex Baker
477. Crotalaria passerinoides Taub.
478. Crotalaria patula Polhill
479. Crotalaria paulina Schrank
480. Crotalaria pearsonii Baker f.
481. Crotalaria peduncularis Graham ex Wight & Arn.
482. Crotalaria peltieri Polhill
483. Crotalaria pentaphylla Baker f.
484. Crotalaria perbracteolata Polhill
485. Crotalaria peregrina Polhill
486. Crotalaria perlaxa Polhill
487. Crotalaria perpusilla Collett & Hemsl.
488. Crotalaria perrieri R.Vig.
489. Crotalaria perrottetii DC.
490. Crotalaria persica (Burm.f.) Merr.
491. Crotalaria pervillei Baill.
492. Crotalaria peschiana J.Duvign. & Timp.
493. Crotalaria petiolata Vogel ex Walp.
494. Crotalaria petitiana (A.Rich.) Walp.
495. Crotalaria phillipsiae Baker
496. Crotalaria phylicoides Wild
497. Crotalaria phylloloba Harms
498. Crotalaria phyllostachya Gagnep.
499. Crotalaria phyllostachys Baker
500. Crotalaria pilosa Mill.
501. Crotalaria pilosiflora Baker
502. Crotalaria pisicarpa Welw. ex Baker
503. Crotalaria pittardiana Torre
504. Crotalaria platysepala Harv.
505. Crotalaria pleiophylla Polhill
506. Crotalaria plowdenii Baker
507. Crotalaria podocarpa DC.
508. Crotalaria poecilantha Polhill
509. Crotalaria poissonii R.Vig.
510. Crotalaria polhillii Thulin
511. Crotalaria poliochlora Harms
512. Crotalaria polyantha Taub.
513. Crotalaria polychroma Polhill
514. Crotalaria polygaloides Welw. ex Baker
515. Crotalaria polyphylla L.Riley
516. Crotalaria polysperma Kotschy
517. Crotalaria polytricha Polhill
518. Crotalaria praetexta Polhill
519. Crotalaria preladoi Baker f.
520. Crotalaria priestleyoides Benth.
521. Crotalaria prittwitzii Baker f.
522. Crotalaria prolongata Baker
523. Crotalaria prostrata Rottler ex Willd.
524. Crotalaria protensa Welw. ex Baker
525. Crotalaria psammophila Harms
526. Crotalaria pseudoalexanderi R.Wilczek
527. Crotalaria pseudodiloloensis R.Wilczek
528. Crotalaria pseudoquangensis Torre
529. Crotalaria pseudoseretii R.Wilczek
530. Crotalaria pseudospartium Baker f.
531. Crotalaria pseudotenuirama Torre
532. Crotalaria pseudovirgultalis Torre
533. Crotalaria pterocalyx Harms
534. Crotalaria pteropoda Balf.f.
535. Crotalaria pterospartioides Torre
536. Crotalaria pudica Polhill
537. Crotalaria pulchra Andrews
538. Crotalaria pumila Ortega
539. Crotalaria purdieana Senn
540. Crotalaria purshii DC.
541. Crotalaria pusilla Roxb. ex Roth
542. Crotalaria pycnostachya Benth.
543. Crotalaria pygmaea Polhill
544. Crotalaria quangensis Taub.
545. Crotalaria quarrei Baker f.
546. Crotalaria quartiniana A.Rich.
547. Crotalaria quercetorum Brandegee
548. Crotalaria quinquefolia L.
549. Crotalaria ramosissima Roxb.
550. Crotalaria reclinata Polhill
551. Crotalaria recta Steud. ex A.Rich.
552. Crotalaria recumbens Polhill
553. Crotalaria renieriana R.Wilczek
554. Crotalaria reptans Taub.
555. Crotalaria retusa L.
556. Crotalaria rhizoclada Polhill
557. Crotalaria rhodesiae Baker f.
558. Crotalaria rhynchocarpa Polhill
559. Crotalaria rhynchotropioides Baker f.
560. Crotalaria rigida B.Heyne ex Roth
561. Crotalaria ringoetii Baker f.
562. Crotalaria riparia Polhill
563. Crotalaria rogersii Baker f.
564. Crotalaria rosenii (Pax) Milne-Redh. ex Polhill
565. Crotalaria rotundifolia J.F.Gmel.
566. Crotalaria rubiginosa Willd.
567. Crotalaria rufipila Benth.
568. Crotalaria rufocaulis Gilli
569. Crotalaria rupicola Baker f.
570. Crotalaria ruspoliana Chiov.
571. Crotalaria rzedowskii J.Espinosa
572. Crotalaria sacculata Chiov.
573. Crotalaria sagittalis L.
574. Crotalaria saharae Coss.
575. Crotalaria salicifolia B.Heyne ex Wight & Arn.
576. Crotalaria saltiana Andrews
577. Crotalaria sandoorensis Bedd. ex Gamble
578. Crotalaria sapinii De Wild.
579. Crotalaria scabra Gamble
580. Crotalaria scabrella Wight & Arn.
581. Crotalaria scassellatii Chiov.
582. Crotalaria schiedeana Steud.
583. Crotalaria schinzii Baker f.
584. Crotalaria schlechteri Baker f.
585. Crotalaria schliebenii Polhill
586. Crotalaria schmitzii R.Wilczek
587. Crotalaria schweinfurthii Deflers
588. Crotalaria seemeniana Harms
589. Crotalaria semperflorens Vent.
590. Crotalaria senegalensis (Pers.) Bacle ex DC.
591. Crotalaria sengensis Baker f.
592. Crotalaria serengetiana Polhill
593. Crotalaria sericea Burm.f.
594. Crotalaria sericifolia Harms
595. Crotalaria serpentinicola Leteint. & Polhill
596. Crotalaria sertulifera Taub.
597. Crotalaria sessiliflora L.
598. Crotalaria sessilis De Wild.
599. Crotalaria shanica Lace
600. Crotalaria shevaroyensis Gamble
601. Crotalaria shirensis (Baker f.) Milne-Redh.
602. Crotalaria shrirangiana K.H.Rokade, Dalavi, S.S.Gaikwad & N.B.Gaikwad
603. Crotalaria shuklae A.P.Tiwari & A.A.Ansari
604. Crotalaria similis Hemsl.
605. Crotalaria simoma Polhill
606. Crotalaria simulans Milne-Redh.
607. Crotalaria singulifloroides R.Wilczek
608. Crotalaria smithiana A.T.Lee
609. Crotalaria socotrana (Balf.f.) Thulin
610. Crotalaria somalensis Chiov.
611. Crotalaria sonorensis Standl.
612. Crotalaria sparsifolia Baker
613. Crotalaria spartea R.Br. ex Baker
614. Crotalaria spartioides DC.
615. Crotalaria spathulatofoliolata Torre
616. Crotalaria speciosa B.Heyne ex Roth
617. Crotalaria spectabilis Roth
618. Crotalaria sphaerocarpa Perr. ex DC.
619. Crotalaria spinosa Hochst. ex Benth.
620. Crotalaria squamigera Deflers
621. Crotalaria staneriana Baker f.
622. Crotalaria stenopoda Baker f.
623. Crotalaria stenoptera Welw. ex Baker
624. Crotalaria stenorhampha Harms
625. Crotalaria stenothyrsa Taub.
626. Crotalaria steudneri Schweinf.
627. Crotalaria stipitata Graham ex Wight & Arn.
628. Crotalaria stipularia Desv.
629. Crotalaria stocksii Benth. ex Baker
630. Crotalaria stolzii (Baker f.) Milne-Redh. ex Polhill
631. Crotalaria streptorrhyncha Milne-Redh.
632. Crotalaria strigulosa Balf.f.
633. Crotalaria stuhlmannii Taub.
634. Crotalaria subcaespitosa Polhill
635. Crotalaria subcalvata Polhill
636. Crotalaria subcapitata De Wild.
637. Crotalaria subdecurrens Mart. ex Benth.
638. Crotalaria subperfoliata Wight
639. Crotalaria subsessilis Harms
640. Crotalaria subspicata Polhill
641. Crotalaria subtilis Polhill
642. Crotalaria suffruticosa S.Subraman. & A.K.Pandey
643. Crotalaria sulphizii Thoth. & A.A.Ansari
644. Crotalaria sylvicola Baker f.
645. Crotalaria szaferiana R.Wilczek
646. Crotalaria tabularis Baker f.
647. Crotalaria tamboensis R.Wilczek
648. Crotalaria tanety Du Puy, Labat & H.Ireland
649. Crotalaria tchibangensis Maesen
650. Crotalaria teixeirae Torre
651. Crotalaria tenuipedicellata Baker f.
652. Crotalaria tenuirama Welw. ex Baker
653. Crotalaria tenuirostrata Polhill
654. Crotalaria teretifolia Milne-Redh.
655. Crotalaria tetragona Roxb. ex Andrews
656. Crotalaria tetraptera Torre
657. Crotalaria thaumasiophylla Harms
658. Crotalaria thebaica (Delile) DC.
659. Crotalaria thomasii Harms
660. Crotalaria tiantaiensis Yan C.Jiang, X.Y.Zhu, Y.F.Du & H.Ohashi
661. Crotalaria toamasinae M.Peltier
662. Crotalaria torrei Polhill
663. Crotalaria trichotoma Bojer
664. Crotalaria trifoliastrum Willd.
665. Crotalaria trifoliolata Baker f.
666. Crotalaria trinervia Polhill
667. Crotalaria triquetra Dalzell
668. Crotalaria tristis Polhill
669. Crotalaria tsavoana Polhill
670. Crotalaria tweedieana Benth.
671. Crotalaria ubonensis P.Dy Phon
672. Crotalaria uguenensis Taub.
673. Crotalaria ukambensis Vatke
674. Crotalaria ukingensis Harms
675. Crotalaria ulbrichiana Harms
676. Crotalaria uliginosa R.F.Huang
677. Crotalaria umbellifera R.E.Fr.
678. Crotalaria uncinata Welw. ex Baker
679. Crotalaria uncinella Lam.
680. Crotalaria unicaulis Bullock
681. Crotalaria unifoliolata Benth.
682. Crotalaria vagans Polhill
683. Crotalaria valetonii Backer
684. Crotalaria valida Baker
685. Crotalaria vallicola Baker f.
686. Crotalaria vandenbrandii R.Wilczek
687. Crotalaria vanderystii R.Wilczek
688. Crotalaria vanmeelii R.Wilczek
689. Crotalaria varians Craib
690. Crotalaria varicosa Polhill
691. Crotalaria variifolia Polhill
692. Crotalaria vasculosa Wall. ex Benth.
693. Crotalaria vatkeana Engl.
694. Crotalaria velutina Benth.
695. Crotalaria venusta Wall. ex A.A.Ansari
696. Crotalaria verdcourtii Polhill
697. Crotalaria verrucosa L.
698. Crotalaria vespertilio Benth.
699. Crotalaria vestita Baker
700. Crotalaria vialattei Batt.
701. Crotalaria vialis Milne-Redh.
702. Crotalaria virgulata Klotzsch
703. Crotalaria virgultalis Burch. ex DC.
704. Crotalaria vitellina Ker Gawl.
705. Crotalaria walkeri Arn.
706. Crotalaria warfae Thulin
707. Crotalaria welwitschii Baker
708. Crotalaria wightiana Graham ex Wight & Arn.
709. Crotalaria wilczekiana Timp.
710. Crotalaria willdenowiana DC.
711. Crotalaria xanthoclada Bojer ex Benth.
712. Crotalaria yaihsienensis T.C.Chen
713. Crotalaria youngii Baker f.
714. Crotalaria yunnanensis Franch.

Ecological Significance

Rattlepods play a vital role in their respective ecosystems. As members of the legume family, they have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots. This allows them to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants, enriching the soil and benefiting neighboring species. Furthermore, their flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and birds, contributing to the overall biodiversity of their habitats.

Human Uses and Interactions

Beyond their ecological importance, rattlepods have a long history of interaction with humans. Some species, like Crotalaria juncea, have been utilized for their fiber and as green manure. Others have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. However, it is crucial to note that many Crotalaria species contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic to livestock and humans if ingested in large quantities. This highlights the importance of careful identification and responsible use of these plants.

Conservation Concerns

While many rattlepod species are common and widespread, some face threats due to habitat loss, overgrazing, and the introduction of invasive species. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the continued survival of these fascinating plants and the ecological services they provide.

A Continuing Fascination

My exploration of the genus Crotalaria has been a journey of discovery and appreciation. The diversity within this genus, coupled with its ecological importance and human interactions, makes it a captivating subject for continued study. As I delve deeper into the world of rattlepods, I am constantly reminded of the intricate connections that exist within the natural world and the importance of preserving this biodiversity for future generations.