Rattlebox (Crotalaria retusa, Sp. Pl.: 715 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 715 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Crotalaria

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Somalia to Mozambique, W. Indian Ocean, Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to N. Australia

Description

Rattlebox, scientifically known as Crotalaria retusa, is a fascinating plant distinguished by its unique characteristics and widespread geographic distribution. Initially described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, Rattlebox belongs to the Fabaceae family, a large and economically significant family of flowering plants commonly referred to as legumes or beans.

This robust plant can be found thriving across a broad range of regions, stretching from Somalia to Mozambique in Africa. Its presence extends eastwards into the Western Indian Ocean and spreads throughout tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, reaching even northern Australia. Such a wide distribution indicates Rattlebox’s adaptability to various climates and soil types, underlining its resilience and ecological versatility.

Rattlebox is particularly notable for its curious seed pods, which give the plant its common name. When shaken, the dry, inflated pods produce a rattling sound due to the loose seeds inside, a feature that not only aids in seed dispersal but also makes the plant easily identifiable.

As a member of the Fabaceae family, Crotalaria retusa plays a significant role in its ecosystem. Legumes like Rattlebox have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules. This relationship enhances soil fertility by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can absorb and utilize, thus contributing to the health of the surrounding plant community.

Despite its ecological benefits, Crotalaria retusa needs to be approached with caution. Some species within the Crotalaria genus are known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, compounds that can be toxic to livestock and humans if ingested. Therefore, while it serves important ecological functions, understanding its potential impacts is crucial for those in areas where the plant is prevalent.

In summary, Rattlebox (Crotalaria retusa) is an intriguing and widely distributed plant species characterized by its distinctive seed pods and ecological role within the Fabaceae family. Its adaptability and nitrogen-fixing ability underscore its importance, even as caution is warranted due to the potential presence of toxic compounds.

Common Names

Eng: rattleweed, devil-bean, rattlebox, wedge-leaf crotalaria, wedge-leaf rattlepod, big yellow popbush, yellow rattlebox
Spa: cascabel fétido
Nld: leeuwenbekje
En: Rattlebox, Devil-bean, Wedge-leaf crotalaria, Wedge-leaf rattlepod, Rattleweed, Rattlepod, Big Yellow Popbush, Yellow rattlebox, Large Yellow Rattlebox, Big Yellow Pupbush, Cascabelillo, Pois France Marron, Shack Shack, Yellow Lupin
Bn: অতসী
Zh: 凹葉野百合, 吊裙草
Nl: Leeuwenbekje
Fr: Graine chacha, Herbe tapage, Cascavelle jaune, Pois rond marron, Crotalaire rétuse
Kn: ಗಿಜಿ ಗಿಜಿ ಗಿಡ
Ml: കിലുകിലുക്കി
Es: Cascabel fétido
Zh-tw: 凹葉野百合

Synonyms

Distribution

• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Comoros (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Laccadive Is. (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maldives (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Oman (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Rodrigues (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Aruba (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Belize (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Congo (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Equatorial Guinea (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Liberia (introduced)
• Line Is. (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Niger (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Guilherme Santos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2020 by sensee milla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Leonardo Hugo Ramírez Dousdebés (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2022 by meghna adhvaryu (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 24, 2018 by vini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2008 by EOL − Alex V. Popovkin (cc-by)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by Maria Da ROCHA (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 4, 2016 by laurence comte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2018 by Kamaria Hassane (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 26, 2018 by Cherokee Twin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2020 by dacote kev (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2013 by R. Tournebize (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2013 by R. Tournebize (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2013 by R. Tournebize (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2942610)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:322611-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Crotalaria retusa L.)

Specifications

Growth