714 Species in Genus Crotalaria

Table of Contents

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.

Crotalaria Species

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

Crotalaria abbreviata Baker f.
Crotalaria abscondita Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria acicularis Buch.-Ham. ex Benth.
Crotalaria aculeata De Wild.
Crotalaria adamii R.Wilczek
Crotalaria adamsonii Baker f.
Crotalaria adariensis D.Subram.
Crotalaria adenocarpoides Taub.
Crotalaria adolfi Harms
Crotalaria aegyptiaca Benth.
Crotalaria afrocentralis Polhill
Crotalaria agatiflora Schweinf.
Crotalaria aiantha Adema
Crotalaria aidiostipulata Gilli
Crotalaria alata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don
Crotalaria albicaulis Franch.
Crotalaria albida B.Heyne ex Roth
Crotalaria alemanniana Torre
Crotalaria alexandri Baker f.
Crotalaria allophylla Thulin
Crotalaria alticola Polhill
Crotalaria amoena Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria andringitrensis R.Vig.
Crotalaria andromedifolia R.Wilczek
Crotalaria androyensis R.Vig.
Crotalaria angulata Mill.
Crotalaria angulicaulis Harms
Crotalaria anisophylla (Hiern) Welw. ex Baker f.
Crotalaria ankaizinensis R.Vig.
Crotalaria ankaratrana R.Vig.
Crotalaria annamensis P.Dy Phon
Crotalaria anningensis X.Y.Zhu & Y.F.Du
Crotalaria annua Milne-Redh.
Crotalaria anomala R.Vig.
Crotalaria anthyllopsis Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria antunesii Baker f.
Crotalaria arcuata Polhill
Crotalaria arenaria Benth.
Crotalaria argenteotomentosa R.Wilczek
Crotalaria argyraea Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria argyrolobioides Baker
Crotalaria aridicola Domin
Crotalaria arrecta Hemp & Polhill
Crotalaria arushae Milne-Redh. ex Polhill
Crotalaria assadii Zaeifi
Crotalaria assurgens Polhill
Crotalaria atrorubens Hochst. ex Benth.
Crotalaria aurea Dinter ex Baker f.
Crotalaria avonensis DeLaney & Wunderlin
Crotalaria awasensis Thulin
Crotalaria axillaris Aiton
Crotalaria axilliflora Baker f.
Crotalaria axillifloroides Baker f. ex R.Wilczek
Crotalaria bahiaensis Windler & S.G.Skinner
Crotalaria bakeriana Rossberg
Crotalaria balansae Micheli
Crotalaria balbi Chiov.
Crotalaria ballyi Polhill
Crotalaria bamendae Hepper
Crotalaria barbata Graham ex Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria barkae Schweinf.
Crotalaria barnabassii Dinter ex Baker f.
Crotalaria basipeta R.Wilczek
Crotalaria baumii Harms
Crotalaria becquetii Baker f. ex R.Wilczek
Crotalaria beddomeana Thoth. & A.A.Ansari
Crotalaria bemba R.Wilczek
Crotalaria benadirensis Chiov.
Crotalaria benguellensis Baker f.
Crotalaria bequaertii Baker f.
Crotalaria bernieri Baill.
Crotalaria berteroana DC.
Crotalaria bhutanica Thoth.
Crotalaria bifaria L.f.
Crotalaria blanda Polhill
Crotalaria boehmii Taub.
Crotalaria bogdaniana Polhill
Crotalaria boliviensis Windler & S.G.Skinner
Crotalaria bondii Baker f. ex Torre
Crotalaria bongensis Baker f.
Crotalaria boranica Harms ex Baker f.
Crotalaria bosseri M.Peltier
Crotalaria boudetii Polhill
Crotalaria boutiqueana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria brachycarpa Benth.
Crotalaria bracteata Roxb. ex DC.
Crotalaria bredoi R.Wilczek
Crotalaria brevicornuta Polhill
Crotalaria brevidens Benth.
Crotalaria breviflora DC.
Crotalaria brevipedunculata Windler
Crotalaria brevis Domin
Crotalaria bupleurifolia Schltdl. & Cham.
Crotalaria burhia Buch.-Ham. ex Benth.
Crotalaria burkeana Benth.
Crotalaria burttii Baker f.
Crotalaria cabui R.Wilczek
Crotalaria cajanifolia Kunth
Crotalaria callensii R.Wilczek
Crotalaria calliantha Polhill
Crotalaria calva R.Vig.
Crotalaria calycina Schrank
Crotalaria cambodiensis P.Dy Phon
Crotalaria campestris Polhill
Crotalaria camptosepala Thulin
Crotalaria candicans Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria capensis Jacq.
Crotalaria capillipes Polhill
Crotalaria capuronii M.Peltier
Crotalaria carrissoana Torre
Crotalaria carsonii Baker f.
Crotalaria carsonioides R.Wilczek
Crotalaria caudata Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria cephalotes Steud. ex A.Rich.
Crotalaria chaco-serranensis H.G.Bach & Fortunato
Crotalaria chamaepeuce Polhill
Crotalaria chinensis L.
Crotalaria chirindae Baker f.
Crotalaria chondrocarpa Polhill
Crotalaria chrysantha Ahn & S.H.Park
Crotalaria chrysochlora Baker f. ex Harms
Crotalaria chrysotricha Polhill
Crotalaria cistoides Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria clarkei Gamble
Crotalaria claussenii Benth.
Crotalaria clavata Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria cleomifolia Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria cobalticola P.A.Duvign. & Plancke
Crotalaria collina Polhill
Crotalaria colorata Schinz
Crotalaria comanestiana Volkens & Schweinf.
Crotalaria comosa Baker
Crotalaria concinna Polhill
Crotalaria confertiflora Polhill
Crotalaria confusa Hepper
Crotalaria congesta Polhill
Crotalaria congoensis Baker f.
Crotalaria cordata Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria cornetii Taub. & Dewèvre
Crotalaria cornu-ammonis R.Vig.
Crotalaria corymbosa Torre
Crotalaria coursii Pelt.
Crotalaria craspedocarpa R.Vig.
Crotalaria crebra Polhill
Crotalaria criniramea Baker f. ex Polhill
Crotalaria crispata F.Muell. ex Benth.
Crotalaria cunninghamii R.Br. Plant FAQs: Crotalaria Cunninghamii – Green Birdflower
Crotalaria cupricola Leteint.
Crotalaria cuspidata Taub.
Crotalaria cyanea Baker
Crotalaria cyanoxantha R.Vig.
Crotalaria cylindrica A.Rich.
Crotalaria cylindrocarpa DC.
Crotalaria cylindrostachys Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria cytisoides Roxb. ex DC.
Crotalaria dalensis Torre
Crotalaria damarensis Engl.
Crotalaria dasyclada Polhill
Crotalaria debilis Polhill
Crotalaria decaryana R.Vig.
Crotalaria decora Polhill
Crotalaria dedzana Polhill
Crotalaria deflersii Schweinf.
Crotalaria deightonii Hepper
Crotalaria densicephala Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria depressa Polhill
Crotalaria desaegeri R.Wilczek
Crotalaria descampsii Micheli
Crotalaria deserticola Taub. ex Baker f.
Crotalaria dewildemaniana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria digitata Hook.
Crotalaria dilatata Polhill
Crotalaria diminuta Polhill
Crotalaria dinteri Schinz
Crotalaria diosmifolia Benth.
Crotalaria dissitiflora Benth.
Crotalaria distans Benth.
Crotalaria distantiflora Baker f.
Crotalaria doidgeae I.Verd.
Crotalaria dolichantha Polhill
Crotalaria dolichonyx Baker f. & W.Martin
Crotalaria doniana Baker
Crotalaria dubia Graham ex Benth.
Crotalaria duboisii R.Wilczek
Crotalaria dumosa Franch.
Crotalaria dura J.M.Wood & M.S.Evans
Crotalaria durandiana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria duvigneaudii Timp.
Crotalaria ebenoides (Guill. & Perr.) Walp.
Crotalaria edmundi-bakeri R.Vig.
Crotalaria egregia Polhill
Crotalaria elisabethae Baker f.
Crotalaria emarginata Bojer ex Benth.
Crotalaria emarginella Vatke
Crotalaria emirnensis Benth.
Crotalaria ephemera Polhill
Crotalaria epunctata Dalzell
Crotalaria eremaea F.Muell.
Crotalaria eremicola Baker f.
Crotalaria ericoides Torre
Crotalaria eriocarpa Benth.
Crotalaria erythrophleba Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria eurycalyx Polhill
Crotalaria evolvuloides Wight
Crotalaria exaltata Polhill
Crotalaria excisa (Thunb.) Baker f.
Crotalaria exelliana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria exilipes Polhill
Crotalaria exilis Polhill
Crotalaria eximia Polhill
Crotalaria fallax Chiov.
Crotalaria fascicularis Polhill
Crotalaria fenarolii Torre
Crotalaria fiherenensis R.Vig.
Crotalaria filicaulis Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria filifolia Rose
Crotalaria filiformis Wall. ex Benth.
Crotalaria filipes Benth.
Crotalaria flavicarinata Baker f.
Crotalaria flavicoma Benth.
Crotalaria florida Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria formosa Graham ex Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria friesii I.Verd.
Crotalaria fysonii Dunn
Crotalaria gajureliana Gholave, Madhav & Gosavi
Crotalaria gamwelliae Baker f.
Crotalaria gazensis Baker f.
Crotalaria germainii R.Wilczek
Crotalaria giessii M.M.le Roux & B.-E.van Wyk
Crotalaria gillettii Polhill
Crotalaria glabripedicellata R.Wilczek
Crotalaria glauca Willd.
Crotalaria glaucifolia Baker
Crotalaria glaucoides Baker f.
Crotalaria globifera E.Mey.
Crotalaria globosa Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria gloriae Bernal
Crotalaria gnidioides R.Wilczek
Crotalaria goetzei Harms
Crotalaria goiasensis Windler & S.G.Skinner
Crotalaria goodiiformis Vatke
Crotalaria goreensis Guill. & Perr.
Crotalaria gracilipes O.Lachenaud
Crotalaria grahamiana Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria graminicola Taub. ex Baker f.
Crotalaria grandibracteata Taub.
Crotalaria grandiflora Benth.
Crotalaria grandistipulata Harms
Crotalaria grata Polhill
Crotalaria greenwayi Baker f.
Crotalaria grevei Drake
Crotalaria griquensis Bolus
Crotalaria griseofusca Baker f.
Crotalaria hainanensis R.F.Huang
Crotalaria handelii E.Peter
Crotalaria harleyi Windler & S.G.Skinner
Crotalaria haumaniana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria hebecarpa (DC.) Rudd
Crotalaria heidmannii Schinz
Crotalaria hemsleyi Milne-Redh.
Crotalaria herpetoclada Rossberg
Crotalaria heteromorpha Soto-Estrada & Cruz Durán
Crotalaria heterotricha Polhill
Crotalaria heyneana Graham ex Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria hilariana Benth.
Crotalaria hirsuta Willd.
Crotalaria hirta Willd.
Crotalaria hoffmannii R.Wilczek
Crotalaria holoptera Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria holosericea Nees & Mart.
Crotalaria horrida Polhill
Crotalaria huillensis Taub.
Crotalaria humbertiana M.Peltier
Crotalaria humbertii R.Vig.
Crotalaria humifusa Graham ex Benth.
Crotalaria humilis Eckl. & Zeyh.
Crotalaria hypargyrea Chiov.
Crotalaria hyssopifolia Klotzsch
Crotalaria ibityensis R.Vig. & Humbert
Crotalaria impressa Nees ex Walp.
Crotalaria incana L.
Crotalaria incompta N.E.Br.
Crotalaria incrassifolia Polhill
Crotalaria inequalis A.E.Holland
Crotalaria inflexa Polhill
Crotalaria inopinata (Harms) Polhill
Crotalaria insignis Polhill
Crotalaria intonsa Polhill
Crotalaria intricata Thulin
Crotalaria involutifolia Polhill
Crotalaria inyangensis Polhill
Crotalaria ionoptera Polhill
Crotalaria iringana Harms
Crotalaria irwinii Windler & S.G.Skinner
Crotalaria isaloensis R.Vig.
Crotalaria ivantulensis Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria jacksonii Baker f.
Crotalaria jerokoensis Baker f.
Crotalaria jianfengensis C.Y.Yang
Crotalaria jijigensis Thulin
Crotalaria johannis Torre
Crotalaria johnstonii Baker
Crotalaria jubae Polhill
Crotalaria juncea L.
Crotalaria jurioniana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria kambanguensis R.Wilczek
Crotalaria kambolensis Baker f.
Crotalaria kanaii H.Ohashi
Crotalaria kandoensis Baker f.
Crotalaria kapiriensis De Wild.
Crotalaria karagwensis Taub.
Crotalaria kassneri Baker f.
Crotalaria kelaensis Baker f.
Crotalaria keniensis Baker f.
Crotalaria kerkvoordei R.Wilczek
Crotalaria khasiana Balansa ex Thoth. & A.A.Ansari
Crotalaria kibaraensis R.Wilczek
Crotalaria kipandensis Baker f.
Crotalaria kipilaensis R.Wilczek
Crotalaria kirkii Baker
Crotalaria kodaiensis Debb. & Biswas
Crotalaria kolbergii M.M.le Roux & B.-E.van Wyk
Crotalaria kostermansii Niyomdham
Crotalaria kuiririensis Baker f.
Crotalaria kundelunguensis Baker f.
Crotalaria kurtii Schinz
Crotalaria kurzii Baker ex Kurz
Crotalaria kwengeensis R.Wilczek
Crotalaria laburnifolia L.
Crotalaria laburnoides Klotzsch
Crotalaria lachnocarpoides Engl.
Crotalaria lachnophora A.Rich.
Crotalaria lachnosema Stapf
Crotalaria laeta Mart. ex Benth.
Crotalaria laevigata Lam.
Crotalaria lanceolata E.Mey.
Crotalaria lancifoliolata Torre
Crotalaria larsenii Niyomdham
Crotalaria lasiocarpa Polhill
Crotalaria lathyroides Guill. & Perr.
Crotalaria lawalreeana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria laxiflora Baker
Crotalaria leandriana M.Peltier
Crotalaria lebeckioides Bond
Crotalaria lebrunii Baker f.
Crotalaria ledermannii Baker f.
Crotalaria leioloba Bartl.
Crotalaria leonardiana Timp.
Crotalaria lepidissima Baker f.
Crotalaria leprieurii Guill. & Perr.
Crotalaria leptocarpa Balf.f.
Crotalaria leptoclada Harms
Crotalaria leptostachya Benth.
Crotalaria leschenaultii DC.
Crotalaria leubnitziana Schinz
Crotalaria leucoclada Baker
Crotalaria lidiae Ram.-Hern. & Cruz Durán
Crotalaria limosa Polhill
Crotalaria linearifoliolata Chiov.
Crotalaria linifolia L.f.
Crotalaria lisowskii Polhill
Crotalaria loandae Baker f.
Crotalaria longiclavata Polhill
Crotalaria longidens Burtt Davy ex I.Verd.
Crotalaria longipes Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria longirostrata Hook. & Arn.
Crotalaria longithyrsa Baker f.
Crotalaria lotifolia L.
Crotalaria lotiformis Milne-Redh.
Crotalaria lotoides Benth.
Crotalaria lukafuensis De Wild.
Crotalaria lukomae Baker f.
Crotalaria lukwangulensis Harms
Crotalaria lundensis Torre
Crotalaria lunulata B.Heyne ex Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria luondeensis R.Wilczek
Crotalaria lusamboensis R.Wilczek
Crotalaria lusingaensis R.Wilczek
Crotalaria lutescens Dalzell
Crotalaria luxenii Baker f.
Crotalaria luzoniensis Adema
Crotalaria macrantha Polhill
Crotalaria macrocalyx Benth.
Crotalaria macrocarpa E.Mey.
Crotalaria madurensis Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria magaliesbergensis A.S.Flores & Sch.Rodr.
Crotalaria mahafalensis R.Vig.
Crotalaria mairei H.Lév.
Crotalaria malaissei Polhill
Crotalaria malindiensis Polhill
Crotalaria mandrarensis R.Vig.
Crotalaria manganifera Polhill
Crotalaria manongarivensis R.Vig.
Crotalaria martiana Benth.
Crotalaria massaiensis Taub.
Crotalaria mauensis Baker f.
Crotalaria maypurensis Kunth
Crotalaria medicaginea Lam.
Crotalaria meeboldii Dunn
Crotalaria meghalayensis Danda & A.K.Pandey
Crotalaria melanocalyx Polhill
Crotalaria melanocarpa Wall. ex Benth.
Crotalaria mendesii Torre
Crotalaria mendoncae Torre
Crotalaria mentiens Polhill
Crotalaria mesopontica Taub.
Crotalaria mexicana Windler
Crotalaria meyeriana Steud.
Crotalaria micans Link
Crotalaria micheliana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria micrantha Link
Crotalaria microcarpa Hochst. ex Benth.
Crotalaria microphylla Vahl
Crotalaria microthamnus Robyns ex R.Wilczek
Crotalaria mildbraedii Baker f.
Crotalaria milneana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria minutissima Baker f.
Crotalaria miottoae A.S.Flores & A.M.G.Azevedo
Crotalaria miranda Milne-Redh.
Crotalaria misella Polhill
Crotalaria mitchellii Benth.
Crotalaria mocubensis Polhill
Crotalaria modesta Polhill
Crotalaria mollicula Kunth
Crotalaria mollii Polhill
Crotalaria monophylla Germish.
Crotalaria montana Roxb. ex Roth
Crotalaria monteiroi Taub. ex Baker f.
Crotalaria mortonii Hepper
Crotalaria morumbensis Baker f.
Crotalaria mudugensis Thulin
Crotalaria muenzneri Baker f.
Crotalaria multibracteata S.A.Rather & A.K.Pandey
Crotalaria multiflora (Arn.) Benth.
Crotalaria mwangulangoi Gereau & Bodine
Crotalaria mysorensis Roth
Crotalaria namuliensis Polhill & T.Harris
Crotalaria nana Burm.f.
Crotalaria naragutensis Hutch.
Crotalaria natalensis Baker f.
Crotalaria natalitia Meisn.
Crotalaria nayaritensis Windler
Crotalaria nematophylla Baker f.
Crotalaria neriifolia Wall. ex Benth.
Crotalaria newtoniana Torre
Crotalaria nigricans Baker
Crotalaria nitens Kunth
Crotalaria notonii Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria novae-hollandiae DC.
Crotalaria nuda Polhill
Crotalaria nudiflora Polhill
Crotalaria nyikensis Baker
Crotalaria obscura DC.
Crotalaria obtecta Graham ex Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria occidentalis Hepper
Crotalaria occulta Graham ex Benth.
Crotalaria ochroleuca G.Don
Crotalaria oligosperma Polhill
Crotalaria oligostachya Baker
Crotalaria onobrychis A.Rich.
Crotalaria ononoides Benth.
Crotalaria onusta Polhill
Crotalaria oocarpa Baker
Crotalaria orientalis Burtt Davy ex I.Verd.
Crotalaria orixensis Willd.
Crotalaria orthoclada Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria otoptera Benth.
Crotalaria ovata Polhill
Crotalaria oxyphylla Harms
Crotalaria oxyphylloides R.Wilczek
Crotalaria pallida Aiton
Crotalaria pallidicaulis Harms
Crotalaria paniculata Willd.
Crotalaria paracistoides Torre
Crotalaria paraspartea Polhill
Crotalaria parvula Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria passerinoides Taub.
Crotalaria patula Polhill
Crotalaria paulina Schrank
Crotalaria pearsonii Baker f.
Crotalaria peduncularis Graham ex Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria peltieri Polhill
Crotalaria pentaphylla Baker f.
Crotalaria perbracteolata Polhill
Crotalaria peregrina Polhill
Crotalaria perlaxa Polhill
Crotalaria perpusilla Collett & Hemsl.
Crotalaria perrieri R.Vig.
Crotalaria perrottetii DC.
Crotalaria persica (Burm.f.) Merr.
Crotalaria pervillei Baill.
Crotalaria peschiana J.Duvign. & Timp.
Crotalaria petiolata Vogel ex Walp.
Crotalaria petitiana (A.Rich.) Walp.
Crotalaria phillipsiae Baker
Crotalaria phylicoides Wild
Crotalaria phylloloba Harms
Crotalaria phyllostachya Gagnep.
Crotalaria phyllostachys Baker
Crotalaria pilosa Mill.
Crotalaria pilosiflora Baker
Crotalaria pisicarpa Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria pittardiana Torre
Crotalaria platysepala Harv.
Crotalaria pleiophylla Polhill
Crotalaria plowdenii Baker
Crotalaria podocarpa DC.
Crotalaria poecilantha Polhill
Crotalaria poissonii R.Vig.
Crotalaria polhillii Thulin
Crotalaria poliochlora Harms
Crotalaria polyantha Taub.
Crotalaria polychroma Polhill
Crotalaria polygaloides Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria polyphylla L.Riley
Crotalaria polysperma Kotschy
Crotalaria polytricha Polhill
Crotalaria praetexta Polhill
Crotalaria preladoi Baker f.
Crotalaria priestleyoides Benth.
Crotalaria prittwitzii Baker f.
Crotalaria prolongata Baker
Crotalaria prostrata Rottler ex Willd.
Crotalaria protensa Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria psammophila Harms
Crotalaria pseudoalexanderi R.Wilczek
Crotalaria pseudodiloloensis R.Wilczek
Crotalaria pseudoquangensis Torre
Crotalaria pseudoseretii R.Wilczek
Crotalaria pseudospartium Baker f.
Crotalaria pseudotenuirama Torre
Crotalaria pseudovirgultalis Torre
Crotalaria pterocalyx Harms
Crotalaria pteropoda Balf.f.
Crotalaria pterospartioides Torre
Crotalaria pudica Polhill
Crotalaria pulchra Andrews
Crotalaria pumila Ortega
Crotalaria purdieana Senn
Crotalaria purshii DC.
Crotalaria pusilla Roxb. ex Roth
Crotalaria pycnostachya Benth.
Crotalaria pygmaea Polhill
Crotalaria quangensis Taub.
Crotalaria quarrei Baker f.
Crotalaria quartiniana A.Rich.
Crotalaria quercetorum Brandegee
Crotalaria quinquefolia L.
Crotalaria ramosissima Roxb.
Crotalaria reclinata Polhill
Crotalaria recta Steud. ex A.Rich.
Crotalaria recumbens Polhill
Crotalaria renieriana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria reptans Taub.
Crotalaria retusa L.
Crotalaria rhizoclada Polhill
Crotalaria rhodesiae Baker f.
Crotalaria rhynchocarpa Polhill
Crotalaria rhynchotropioides Baker f.
Crotalaria rigida B.Heyne ex Roth
Crotalaria ringoetii Baker f.
Crotalaria riparia Polhill
Crotalaria rogersii Baker f.
Crotalaria rosenii (Pax) Milne-Redh. ex Polhill
Crotalaria rotundifolia J.F.Gmel.
Crotalaria rubiginosa Willd.
Crotalaria rufipila Benth.
Crotalaria rufocaulis Gilli
Crotalaria rupicola Baker f.
Crotalaria ruspoliana Chiov.
Crotalaria rzedowskii J.Espinosa
Crotalaria sacculata Chiov.
Crotalaria sagittalis L.
Crotalaria saharae Coss.
Crotalaria salicifolia B.Heyne ex Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria saltiana Andrews
Crotalaria sandoorensis Bedd. ex Gamble
Crotalaria sapinii De Wild.
Crotalaria scabra Gamble
Crotalaria scabrella Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria scassellatii Chiov.
Crotalaria schiedeana Steud.
Crotalaria schinzii Baker f.
Crotalaria schlechteri Baker f.
Crotalaria schliebenii Polhill
Crotalaria schmitzii R.Wilczek
Crotalaria schweinfurthii Deflers
Crotalaria seemeniana Harms
Crotalaria semperflorens Vent.
Crotalaria senegalensis (Pers.) Bacle ex DC.
Crotalaria sengensis Baker f.
Crotalaria serengetiana Polhill
Crotalaria sericea Burm.f.
Crotalaria sericifolia Harms
Crotalaria serpentinicola Leteint. & Polhill
Crotalaria sertulifera Taub.
Crotalaria sessiliflora L.
Crotalaria sessilis De Wild.
Crotalaria shanica Lace
Crotalaria shevaroyensis Gamble
Crotalaria shirensis (Baker f.) Milne-Redh.
Crotalaria shrirangiana K.H.Rokade, Dalavi, S.S.Gaikwad & N.B.Gaikwad
Crotalaria shuklae A.P.Tiwari & A.A.Ansari
Crotalaria similis Hemsl.
Crotalaria simoma Polhill
Crotalaria simulans Milne-Redh.
Crotalaria singulifloroides R.Wilczek
Crotalaria smithiana A.T.Lee
Crotalaria socotrana (Balf.f.) Thulin
Crotalaria somalensis Chiov.
Crotalaria sonorensis Standl.
Crotalaria sparsifolia Baker
Crotalaria spartea R.Br. ex Baker
Crotalaria spartioides DC.
Crotalaria spathulatofoliolata Torre
Crotalaria speciosa B.Heyne ex Roth
Crotalaria spectabilis Roth
Crotalaria sphaerocarpa Perr. ex DC.
Crotalaria spinosa Hochst. ex Benth.
Crotalaria squamigera Deflers
Crotalaria staneriana Baker f.
Crotalaria stenopoda Baker f.
Crotalaria stenoptera Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria stenorhampha Harms
Crotalaria stenothyrsa Taub.
Crotalaria steudneri Schweinf.
Crotalaria stipitata Graham ex Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria stipularia Desv.
Crotalaria stocksii Benth. ex Baker
Crotalaria stolzii (Baker f.) Milne-Redh. ex Polhill
Crotalaria streptorrhyncha Milne-Redh.
Crotalaria strigulosa Balf.f.
Crotalaria stuhlmannii Taub.
Crotalaria subcaespitosa Polhill
Crotalaria subcalvata Polhill
Crotalaria subcapitata De Wild.
Crotalaria subdecurrens Mart. ex Benth.
Crotalaria subperfoliata Wight
Crotalaria subsessilis Harms
Crotalaria subspicata Polhill
Crotalaria subtilis Polhill
Crotalaria suffruticosa S.Subraman. & A.K.Pandey
Crotalaria sulphizii Thoth. & A.A.Ansari
Crotalaria sylvicola Baker f.
Crotalaria szaferiana R.Wilczek
Crotalaria tabularis Baker f.
Crotalaria tamboensis R.Wilczek
Crotalaria tanety Du Puy, Labat & H.Ireland
Crotalaria tchibangensis Maesen
Crotalaria teixeirae Torre
Crotalaria tenuipedicellata Baker f.
Crotalaria tenuirama Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria tenuirostrata Polhill
Crotalaria teretifolia Milne-Redh.
Crotalaria tetragona Roxb. ex Andrews
Crotalaria tetraptera Torre
Crotalaria thaumasiophylla Harms
Crotalaria thebaica (Delile) DC.
Crotalaria thomasii Harms
Crotalaria tiantaiensis Yan C.Jiang, X.Y.Zhu, Y.F.Du & H.Ohashi
Crotalaria toamasinae M.Peltier
Crotalaria torrei Polhill
Crotalaria trichotoma Bojer
Crotalaria trifoliastrum Willd.
Crotalaria trifoliolata Baker f.
Crotalaria trinervia Polhill
Crotalaria triquetra Dalzell
Crotalaria tristis Polhill
Crotalaria tsavoana Polhill
Crotalaria tweedieana Benth.
Crotalaria ubonensis P.Dy Phon
Crotalaria uguenensis Taub.
Crotalaria ukambensis Vatke
Crotalaria ukingensis Harms
Crotalaria ulbrichiana Harms
Crotalaria uliginosa R.F.Huang
Crotalaria umbellifera R.E.Fr.
Crotalaria uncinata Welw. ex Baker
Crotalaria uncinella Lam.
Crotalaria unicaulis Bullock
Crotalaria unifoliolata Benth.
Crotalaria vagans Polhill
Crotalaria valetonii Backer
Crotalaria valida Baker
Crotalaria vallicola Baker f.
Crotalaria vandenbrandii R.Wilczek
Crotalaria vanderystii R.Wilczek
Crotalaria vanmeelii R.Wilczek
Crotalaria varians Craib
Crotalaria varicosa Polhill
Crotalaria variifolia Polhill
Crotalaria vasculosa Wall. ex Benth.
Crotalaria vatkeana Engl.
Crotalaria velutina Benth.
Crotalaria venusta Wall. ex A.A.Ansari
Crotalaria verdcourtii Polhill
Crotalaria verrucosa L.
Crotalaria vespertilio Benth.
Crotalaria vestita Baker
Crotalaria vialattei Batt.
Crotalaria vialis Milne-Redh.
Crotalaria virgulata Klotzsch
Crotalaria virgultalis Burch. ex DC.
Crotalaria vitellina Ker Gawl.
Crotalaria walkeri Arn.
Crotalaria warfae Thulin
Crotalaria welwitschii Baker
Crotalaria wightiana Graham ex Wight & Arn.
Crotalaria wilczekiana Timp.
Crotalaria willdenowiana DC.
Crotalaria xanthoclada Bojer ex Benth.
Crotalaria yaihsienensis T.C.Chen
Crotalaria youngii Baker f.
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.