Crotalaria pallida

Crotalaria pallida (syn. Crotalaria mucronata Desc, Crotalaria striata DC, Crotalaria falcata VAHL ex DC, Crotalaria brownei DC., Crotalaria fertilis Delile, Crotalaria hookeri Arn., Crotalaria pisiformis Guill. & Perr., Crotalaria siamica F.N.Williams, Crotalaria striata var. acutifolia Trin., Crotalaria tinctoria Baill, Crotalaria zuccarininana D.Dietr.[1][2]), commonly known as the chique chique, gergelim bravo, giant striata, guizo-de-cascavel, maraca-de-cobra, rattleweed, rattlebox, smooth crotalaria, or the streaked rattlepod, is a species of flowering plant within the family Fabaceae.[2][3]

Crotalaria pallida
Yellow flower of Crotalaria pallida (syn Crotalaria Mucronata)
Scientific classification
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C. pallida
Binomial name
Crotalaria pallida

This shrub (annual or short-lived perennial herb) has height of about 1.5 m. The stout stem is hairy and has longitudinal grooves. Leaves are trifoliate with a 2-8.5 cm long petiole, leaflets 3-13 x 2–5 cm and elliptical to obovate. Flowers are yellow, often reddish-brown veined and borne on 15–40 cm long racemes, each with 20-30 flowers. Fruits are 3-5 x 0.6-0.8 cm, 30-40 seeded that are heart-shaped, 3 x 2 mm, shiny, mottled ochre and dark grey-green or brown.[4]

Distribution

C. pallida is found in Indonesia, Sudan, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Brazil.[3]

Uses

The plant is grown as a ground cover and a green manure crop, especially in the inter-rows of rubber trees and coconut palms. Flowers are eaten as a vegetable in Cambodia, where the seeds are roasted and grounded for use as a sort of coffee beverage. The roots are sometimes chewed with betel nuts in Vietnam. In traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat urinary problems and fever, a poultice of the roots is applied to swelling of joints and an extract of the leaves is taken to expel intestinal worms.[4][5]

Crotalaria mucronata Desv was reported to be widely used in the southern part of the U.S.A. as a green manure crop under the name “giant striata”.

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References

  1. "Crotalaria pallida Aiton Accepted Name".
  2. Jesse Wagstaff, D (2008-07-07). International Poisonous Plants Checklist. CRC Press. doi:10.1201/9781420062533. ISBN 9781420062526.
  3. "Crotalaria pallida (smooth crotalaria)". www.cabi.org. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  4. "Crotalaria pallida Aiton, 1789".
  5. Chong, K. Y., H. T. W. Tan & R. T. Corlett, 2009. A Checklist of the Total Vascular Plant Flora of Singapore: Native, Naturalised and Cultivated Species. Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore, Singapore. 273 pp.
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