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Crotalaria capensis
Scientific Name: Crotalaria capensis
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Crotalaria capensis
Crotalaria capensis is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree appreciated for its showy yellow flowers.
Common Names
- Cape Laburnum
- Cape Rattle-Pod
- Cape Rattlepod
- Cape Yellowpea
- Geelkeurtjie
- Eared Rattle-Pod
- Cape Rattle Bush
- Canary Tree
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Crotalaria capensis Jacq.
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family), Subfamily Faboideae
- Rank: Species; variety Crotalaria capensis var. obscura
Considerations for Pets
- The seeds of Crotalaria capensis contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Morphology and Growth Habits
- Evergreen, quick-growing, much-branched shrub or small upright tree, typically 2-5 meters (approximately 6.5-16 feet) high, but can reach up to 10 feet.
- Slender main stem with drooping branches.
- Showy spikes of yellow pea-like flowers.
- Trifoliate leaves.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the tropics and subtropics, mostly in Africa.
- Also found in South Africa.
- A few species are native to Florida.
- Grows in various types of grassland and bushland, less often in tree or shrub savanna, but persists in disturbed places and forest margins at altitudes of 0-1830 m.
Ecology
- Flowers are pollinated mainly by carpenter bees.
Further Information
- Rogers Trees and Shrubs contains information & photos of the Crotalaria capensis tree.
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) provides help and information.
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) checklist.
- Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera checklist.