Arrowhead rattlebox (Crotalaria sagittalis, Sp. Pl.: 714 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 714 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Crotalaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. U.S.A to Trop. America

Description

Arrowhead rattlebox, botanically named Crotalaria sagittalis, is an intriguing member of the Fabaceae family. Its origins can be traced back to the comprehensive botanical work by Linnaeus, as documented in “Species Plantarum” in 1753.

This perennial plant is noted for its distinctive arrow-shaped leaves, which give the plant its common name. The foliage, coupled with its vibrant yellow flowers, makes it a visually striking species, adding aesthetic value to its natural habitat. Upon pollination, these flowers give way to seed pods that emit a rattling sound when shaken, a characteristic trait from which the plant earns the name “rattlebox.”

Crotalaria sagittalis is native to a broad range extending from Central and Eastern parts of the United States all the way to Tropical America. This distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to various climates and soil conditions. Its presence across such diverse regions speaks to its ecological versatility, surviving in both temperate and tropical settings with relative ease.

As a member of the legume family, Arrowhead rattlebox plays a critical role in its ecosystem. Like other legumes, it has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria. This nitrogen-fixing ability enriches the soil, promoting the growth of other plants and contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.

The plant’s utilitarian and biological significance, combined with its unique morphological features, make Crotalaria sagittalis a subject of interest not only to botanists but also to ecologists and environmentalists. Whether studied for its ecological benefits or admired for its unique appearance, Arrowhead rattlebox remains a plant of note, with a legacy rooted in the foundational work of Linnaeus.

Common Names

Eng: arrowhead rattlebox
En: Arrowhead rattlebox, Arrow crotalaria
Zh: 翼茎野百合
Zh-hant: 翼莖野百合

Synonyms

• Iocaulon sagittalis ((L.) Raf.)
• Crotalaria sagittalis var. parviflora ((Roth) Schltdl.)
• Crotalaria parviflora var. glabella (M.Martens & Galeotti)
• Crotalaria parviflora var. hirsutissima (M.Martens & Galeotti)
• Crotalaria sagittalis var. blumeriana (H.Senn)
• Crotalaria pringlei (A.Gray)
• Crotalaria sagittalis var. rotundifolia (Schltdl.)
• Crotalaria matthewsiana (Benth.)
• Crotalaria lunulata (Raf.)
• Crotalaria tuerckheimii var. macrantha (H.Senn)
• Crotalaria tuerckheimii (H.Senn)
• Crotalaria belizensis (Lundell)
• Crotalaria sagittalis var. typica (H.Senn)
• Iocaulon pilosa (Raf.)
• Crotalaria undulata (Knowles & Westc.)
• Iocaulon lunulata (Raf.)
• Crotalaria platycarpa (Link)
• Crotalaria sagittalis var. fruticosa ((Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle)
• Crotalaria sagittalis var. oblonga (Michx.)
• Crotalaria fruticosa (Mill.)
• Crotalaria parviflora (Roth)
• Crotalaria bialata (Schrank)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Deedra Alexander (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Deedra Alexander (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2019 by Bruce Winter (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2020 by Pineda Yarení (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2015 by EOL − Erin Faulkner (cc-by-nc)

Leaf

Taken Oct 17, 2020 by Aman Vyas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2022 by Josemanuel Trujillo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2019 by Bruce Winter (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2021 by marjie esteban (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2017 by Angela Wilson (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2016 by EOL − anewman (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Aug 24, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 24, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 21, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:318914-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2942194)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Crotalaria sagittalis L.)

Specifications

Growth