Fabaceae FAMILY

Crotalaria tetragona

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

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[ 1309 Title The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation Publication Author Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. Publisher University of Wisconsin Year 1981 ISBN 0-333-32221-5 Description 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. ]. 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[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. ].

Botanical Description

Crotalaria tetragona is an erect shrub growing up to 2 metres tall[ 272 Title Plants and People of Nepal Publication Author Manandhar. N. P. Publisher Timber Press. Oregon. Year 2002 ISBN 0-88192-527-6 Description Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses. , 1341 Title A revision of the Genus Crotalaria Linn. (Papilionaceae) in Thailand Publication Thai For Bull 11;105-181; 1978 Author Chawalit Niyomdham Publisher Year 1978 ISBN Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeE. Asia - China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam

HabitatOpen slopes at elevations up to 1,700 metres in Nepal[ 272 Title Plants and People of Nepal Publication Author Manandhar. N. P. Publisher Timber Press. Oregon. Year 2002 ISBN 0-88192-527-6 Description Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses. ]. Sparse forests, along trails at elevations from 500 - 1,600 metres in China[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. Open areas in pine forests and secondary forests dominated by bamboo, at elevations to 2,070 metres[ 1343 Title Crotalaria L. (Fabaceae: Faboideae) in continental Southeast Asia Publication Phytotaxa 320 (1): 001-074 Author Ninkaew S.; Balslev H.; Pornpongrungrueng P.; Chantaranothai Publisher Year 2017 ISBN 978-1-77670-218-3 Description ].