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arrowhead rattlebox
Scientific Name: Crotalaria sagittalis
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb
Duration: Annual, Perennial
Other Names: NH (arrow-headed rattle-box), NY (rattlebox), VT (
Arrowhead Rattlebox (Crotalaria sagittalis)
Crotalaria sagittalis, commonly known as Arrowhead Rattlebox, is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae (Pea) family. Other common names include Arrow Croton and Rattle Weed.
Considerations for Pets
- Roots of this plant have been historically used as a strong narcotic.
- The plant produces inflated seedpods.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Crotalaria sagittalis L.
- Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Synonyms: Arrow crotalaria
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to eastern and central United States.
- Found in sandy soils of roadsides and fields.
- It's at the northeast limit of its distribution in New England, and rare in several states.
Morphological Characteristics
- Herb plant form.
- Arrowhead-shaped leaves.
- Racemes of 1 to 4 yellow pea-shaped flowers, approximately 1/3 inch long.
- Simple leaf type.
- Erect or ascending, slender stems, simple or bushy-branched above.
- Inflated seedpods.
Life Cycle and Growth Habits
- Annual, completing its life cycle in one season but will re-seed.
- Requires acidic soil with a pH of 4 to 6 and also requires sandy soils.
- Drought tolerant.
Historical and Traditional Uses
- Roots have been used as a strong narcotic by the Delaware people.
Quirky Facts
- The plant's name "Rattlebox" comes from its inflated seedpods.
- There is a mention of "1,800 horses dying in the western Iowa–eastern Nebraska region in 1892" in association with this plant.
Further Information
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
- Discover Life
- Dave's Garden