Crotalaria
Crotalaria is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, commonly known as rattlepods. The genus contains roughly 600 to 700 species of annuals, perennials, and shrubs, distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. They are employed in agriculture and horticulture in various warm-climate regions and are frequently found in disturbed habitats.
Most Crotalaria species have simple or pinnate leaves and produce bright yellow, pea-like flowers typical of
Ecology and uses: Crotalaria species form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules, contributing to
Toxicity and regulation: due to their alkaloid content, management and species selection are important for safe
Etymology: the name derives from Greek krotalon, meaning a small club or rattle, in reference to the