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rattlebox
Scientific Name: Crotalaria alata
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Rattlebox: A Multifaceted Name
The term "Rattlebox" refers to several different entities, including plants, businesses, and artistic endeavors. This page focuses on the botanical use of the term.
Botanical Rattleboxes
The common name "Rattlebox" is used for various plants, particularly those in the legume family (Fabaceae) that possess inflated fruits with seeds that rattle when dry. Key genera associated with this name include:
- Crotalaria: Several species within this genus are called "Rattlebox."
- Sesbania: Similar to Crotalaria, some Sesbania species share the "Rattlebox" moniker.
- Crotalaria albida, a plant known as Rattlebox, is toxic to horses due to the presence of Pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
- The inflated pods containing rattling seeds may be attractive to children, who may be tempted to open and play with them.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Fabaceae (also known as Papilionaceae, especially in older references)
- Subfamily: Faboideae (for Sesbania punicea, Sesbania tripetii, and Daubentonia tripetii)
Synonyms and alternative scientific names mentioned include:
- Crotalaria spectabilis Roth (Showy Rattlebox) has synonyms: Crotalaria retzii A.S. Hitchc., C. sericea Retz., nom. illeg. anomalous
- Sesbania punicea (Cav.) Benth. is also referred to as Rattlebox, Chinese Rattlebox, Rattlebush, and Spanish Gold Vine.
- Sesbania drummondii (also called Poisonbean, Rattlebush)
- Sesbania tripetii
- Daubentonia tripetii
Distribution and Habitat
- Showy Rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis) is native to the Indo-Malaysian area but has been widely planted in tropical regions worldwide.
- In Texas, Rattlebox can be found from the North Central area into the Coastal Plain, typically growing in low, wet grounds. It extends into Mexico and east through Arkansas.
- One of the Florida native rattlebox is Crotalaria pallida
Ecological Role
- Rattlebox can be an exotic invasive shrub, particularly in wet, sunny areas of the Coastal Plain.
- Showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis) is used for pasture and green-manure crops
Morphological Characteristics
- Rattlebox plants typically have inflated pods containing seeds that rattle when the stem is moved.
- Crotalaria sagittalis is a summer annual that grows to about 6-12 inches tall and branches occasionally.
- Sesbania drummondii has many well-separated branches in the upper part of the plant.
- Rattlebox in Minnesota has racemes of 1 to 4 yellow pea-shaped flowers 1/3 inch long with a hairy calyx.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- The Bella Moth (Utetheisa ornatrix), also known as the Rattlebox Moth, Inornate Moth, or Calico Moth, interacts with Rattlebox plants.
Quirky Facts
- There are seven species of rattlebox found in South Florida, only two of which are Florida natives.