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Ethiopian rattlebox

Scientific Name: Crotalaria brevidens

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Ethiopian Rattlebox (Crotalaria brevidens)

The Ethiopian Rattlebox, scientifically known as Crotalaria brevidens Benth., is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae (Pea) family. It's also known as slender-leaf crotalaria, rattlepod, or rattle pea.

Considerations for Pets

  • Multiple sources indicate that the Ethiopian Rattlebox is unsafe for dogs.

Considerations for Children

  • Multiple sources indicate that the Ethiopian Rattlebox is unsafe for children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Crotalaria brevidens Benth.
  • Common Names: Ethiopian Rattlebox, slender-leaf crotalaria, rattlepod, rattle pea.
  • Family: Fabaceae (Pea family), also referred to as Leguminosae.
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonyms:
    • Crotalaria brevidens var. intermedia (Kotschy) Polhill
    • Crotalaria intermedia Kotschy
  • Varieties:
    • Crotalaria brevidens var. brevidens
    • Crotalaria brevidens var. intermedia (Kotschy) Polhill

Distribution and Habitat

  • The Ethiopian Rattlebox is found wild from northern Nigeria eastwards to Ethiopia and south to southern Tanzania.
  • It has been introduced to Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It's described as a forb/herb.
  • It's an annual plant.
  • The plant can grow as annual herbs stems erect, up to 15 dm long, striate, appressed.

Ecological Role

  • Crotalaria brevidens var. intermedia is considered a minor problem species.

Additional Information

  • Ethiopian Rattlebox are said to do well in cold weather.

Further Resources

  • Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Crotalaria brevidens.