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Crotalaria brevidens
Fabaceae FAMILY

Crotalaria brevidens

Crotalaria brevidens

Edibility
3/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

This species is generally considered non-toxic, although some forms contain toxins[1]. No specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, but many members of this genus are known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, the most potent of which in this genus are monocrotaline, retrorsine and retronecine[2]. These alkaloids have a cumulative effect upon the body and, unless concentrations in a plant are high, occasional consumption is generally completely safe. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are derived from amino acids including ornithine. Many of these alkaloids have pronounced hepatic toxicity, but the lungs and other organs may be affected as well. Mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have also been reported[3].

Cultivation Details

HabitAnnual/Perennial
Growth—

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,700 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 16 - 26°c, but can tolerate 12 - 30°c[4]. Dormant plants can be killed by temperatures of -2°c or lower, though new growth is damaged at -1°c[4]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,400 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 1,100 - 2,700mm[4]. Grows best in a sunny position, succeeding in light shade[4]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5.5 - 7[4]. Initially the plant grows slowly and is ready for harvesting about 8 weeks after sowing. Harvesting may continue for 4 months[3]. In Africa, the most popular way of harvesting rattlepod as a vegetable is by uprooting the whole plant just before flowering when the stems are about 40 cm tall and 8 weeks old[3]. Most farmers use this method when growing rattlepod as a catch crop between other crops[3]. Alternatively, the thinnings are used as a first harvest after about 6 weeks and use a ratoon system from there onwards. This involves first plucking the main shoot at the 8-week stage and subsequent harvesting of the new side shoots[3]. The main shoot is cut 10 - 15 cm above the ground, with at least 3 leaves left. New side shoots can be picked again after 2 weeks and harvesting can take place up to 15 times if there is enough rain and application of nitrogen[3]. Towards the dry season, no further shoots develop and people may pluck the remaining leaves before abandoning the crop[3]. The yield for a once-over harvest of the leaves is about 10 t/ha[3]. A green manure crop yields about 20 t/ha of fresh organic matter[3]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[5].

Propagation

Seed - sown broadcast or in rows. Pre-soaking the seed for 12 hours in warm water can make germination faster and more uniform. The seed germinates in 3 - 4 days, early growth is slow and it may take about 8 weeks until the first harvest is ready[3]. The plant dies after about 6 months[3]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Crotalaria+brevidens>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

  1. [1]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
  2. [2]The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation — Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. · University of Wisconsin · 1981 · ISBN 0-333-32221-5 ↩︎An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
  3. [3]Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. — http://www.prota.org ↩︎An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
  4. [4]Ecocrop — http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home ↩︎Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
  5. [5]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  6. [6]Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants — http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 ↩︎Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
  7. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎