Woolly rattlepod (Crotalaria incana, Sp. Pl.: 716 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 716 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Crotalaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America, Trop. Africa, Madagascar, Arabian Pen., SW. India

Description

Woolly rattlepod, scientifically known as Crotalaria incana, is an intriguing member of the Fabaceae family. Originally documented in 1753 by the renowned naturalist Carl Linnaeus, this plant boasts a wide geographic distribution across tropical and subtropical regions. You can encounter woolly rattlepod in diverse locales, from the lush landscapes of tropical and subtropical America to the varied terrains of tropical Africa and Madagascar, and even extending to the Arabian Peninsula and southwestern India.

This plant is characterized by its downy, wool-like texture, which is reflected in its common name. As with others in the Crotalaria genus, woolly rattlepod likely exhibits rattling seed pods that contribute to its nomenclature. Adapted to a variety of climates and environments, woolly rattlepod is a robust example of the diverse and adaptable nature of the Fabaceae family.

In its natural habitats, woolly rattlepod plays a vital role in local ecosystems. As a legume, it is adept at nitrogen fixation, enriching the soil and promoting healthy plant growth around it. This quality makes it an important species for maintaining soil fertility, particularly in its native regions. While its distinctive, woolly appearance makes it recognizable, the plant’s ecological benefits highlight its significance far beyond its visual appeal.

Overall, woolly rattlepod is a fascinating plant that not only captures interest through its unique characteristics but also contributes significantly to the environments it inhabits.

Common Names

Eng: shakeshake, silver rattlepod, woolly rattlepod, small yellow popbush, snake bush
Por: chocalho-de-cascavel, guizo-de-cascavel
Kin: muyogera, okayogera
En: Woolly rattlepod, Silver rattlepod, Shakeshake, Small Yellow Popbush, Snake Bush, ChipilÁn Macho, Shake-shake, Velvety Rattlebox, Fuzzy Rattlepod
Fr: Pistache Marron
Rw: Muyogera, Okayogera
Pt: Chocalho-de-cascavel, Guizo-de-cascavel
Es: Sojo-sojo, Tipa tipa

Synonyms

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• India (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Line Is. (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maluku (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 14, 2010 by EOL − Marie Fourdrigniez (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gibran Morales C. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 31, 2021 by Eunice Kamau (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by Eunice Kamau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2021 by Mota davi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2022 by Gustavo Bonfim (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 22, 2018 by María Antonia Peña Jiménez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 22, 2020 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2019 by Nair Pradeep (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 16, 2020 by L Morón (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2021 by Edison Bastidas (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by Eunice Kamau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 19, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 29, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2020 by L Morón (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/2942375)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:316245-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Crotalaria incana L.)

Specifications

Growth