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rattlebox
Scientific Name: Crotalaria mysorensis
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Rattlebox: A Multifaceted Name
The name "Rattlebox" is applied to several plants, most notably those in the legume family (Fabaceae) that produce inflated fruits where the seeds rattle. This name applies to plants in the genera Crotalaria and Sesbania.
Considerations for Pets
- Crotalaria albida, also known as Rattlebox, is noted as being toxic to horses due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Considerations for Children
- The common name "Rattlebox" refers to inflated pods containing seeds that rattle when shaken.
Scientific Names & Synonyms
- Several species are called "Rattlebox", including members of the genera Crotalaria and Sesbania.
- Crotalaria albida is a specific species.
- Crotalaria spectabilis, also known as Showy Rattlebox, has synonyms including Crotalaria retzii and C. sericea.
- Sesbania punicea has common names including Rattlebox. Synonyms include Sesbania tripetii and Daubentonia tripetii.
- Sesbania drummondii is another species known as Rattlebox, Rattlebush, or Poisonbean.
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
- Family: Fabaceae (Legume or Pea Family)
- Subfamily: Faboideae (for Sesbania punicea)
Distribution & Habitat
- Crotalaria spectabilis is native to the Indo-Malaysian area but has been widely planted around the world's tropics.
- Sesbania drummondii grows in Texas, ranging from the North Central area into the Coastal Plain, on low wet grounds. It also grows into Mexico and east through Arkansas.
- Rattlebox can be found in wet, sunny areas in the Coastal Plain.
Ecological Role
- Rattlebox is considered an exotic invasive shrub in some regions.
- Crotalaria species are used for pasture and green-manure crops.
Morphological Characteristics & Growth Habits
- Crotalaria sagittalis is a summer annual about 6-12 inches tall that branches occasionally.
- Sesbania drummondii has many branches in the upper part of the plant that are well-separated.
- Some Rattlebox species have racemes of 1 to 4 yellow pea-shaped flowers, about 1/3 inch long, with a hairy calyx.
- Rattlebox is an annual and completes its life cycle during one season but will re-seed. It prefers acidic soil with a pH of 4 to 6 and sandy soils.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- The Bella Moth, Rattlebox Moth, Inornate Moth or Calico Moth (Utetheisa ornatrix) interacts with Rattlebox plants.