This species is closely related to Crotalaria ochroleuca and information cannot always be attributed to either one of them with certainty[]. This species can best be distinguished by the colour of the flower (usually bright yellow, whilst it is yellow or creamish in Cotalatia ochroleuca), the calyx (often puberulous compared to glabrous), and the fruit diameter (0.5 - 1 cm compared to 1.5 - 2 cm)[].

Common Name: Slenderleaf

General Information

Crotalaria brevidens is an erect, much-branched, rather variable annual or short-lived perennial herb growing from 50 - 200cm tall[, ].
A popular vegetable in parts of Africa, where it is often cultivated, usually on a garden scale[, ]. The plant is also often used as a green manure crop, yields a fibre and has local medicinal applications.

Known Hazards

This species is generally considered non-toxic, although some forms contain toxins[].
No specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, but many members of this genus are known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, the most potent of which in this genus are monocrotaline, retrorsine and retronecine[]. These alkaloids have a cumulative effect upon the body and, unless concentrations in a plant are high, occasional consumption is generally completely safe. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are derived from amino acids including ornithine. Many of these alkaloids have pronounced hepatic toxicity, but the lungs and other organs may be affected as well. Mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have also been reported[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - northern Nigeria eastwards to Ethiopia and south to southern Tanzania.

Habitat

Open and wooded grassland, it is also occasionally found in seasonal swamps and on termitaries, at elevations of 500 - 2,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,700 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 16 - 26°c, but can tolerate 12 - 30°c[]. Dormant plants can be killed by temperatures of -2°c or lower, though new growth is damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,400 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 1,100 - 2,700mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position, succeeding in light shade[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5.5 - 7[].
Initially the plant grows slowly and is ready for harvesting about 8 weeks after sowing. Harvesting may continue for 4 months[].
In Africa, the most popular way of harvesting rattlepod as a vegetable is by uprooting the whole plant just before flowering when the stems are about 40 cm tall and 8 weeks old[]. Most farmers use this method when growing rattlepod as a catch crop between other crops[]. Alternatively, the thinnings are used as a first harvest after about 6 weeks and use a ratoon system from there onwards. This involves first plucking the main shoot at the 8-week stage and subsequent harvesting of the new side shoots[]. The main shoot is cut 10 - 15 cm above the ground, with at least 3 leaves left. New side shoots can be picked again after 2 weeks and harvesting can take place up to 15 times if there is enough rain and application of nitrogen[]. Towards the dry season, no further shoots develop and people may pluck the remaining leaves before abandoning the crop[].
The yield for a once-over harvest of the leaves is about 10 t/ha[]. A green manure crop yields about 20 t/ha of fresh organic matter[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Slenderleaf is grown for its young leaves and shoots, and is used as a cooked vegetable[]. Elderly people appreciate its bitterness, whereas younger people prefer the closely related rattlepod C. ochroleuca[]. Slenderleaf is consumed boiled or fried in oil and is also used as a potherb in stews or soups[]. It is often boiled together with Jew’s mallow (Corchorus olitorius) to reduce the bitter taste; tomatoes, onions, oil and/or milk are added[]. The young leaves have a high protein content[].
Some caution should be employed in utilizing this vegetable since the bitterness in the leaves is caused by the presence of toxins such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, diterpenes and phenolic compounds[]. It should be totally safe to use the leaves as an occasional addition to the diet[].

Medicinal

A number of medicinal applications have been reported for this plant[].

The leaves are used to cure stomach-ache, swellings and malaria[].

The roots are used to treat sore throat and mouth thrush[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Crotalaria brevidens is used as a cover crop and green manure because its roots nodulate profusely and fix nitrogen[]. It is an excellent source of organic matter - its fresh foliage usually contains between 0.5 - 1% nitrogen, which when incorporated into the soil improves fertility and nutrient retention, while providing structure to the soil by enriching it of humus and retarding erosion[].
A recent use for the plant is as an agent to promote the germination of Striga, a parasitic plant that is a major problem for maize and millet growers. In the presence of Crotalaria, Striga germinates and it will subsequently die due to the lack of a suitable host plant[]. Crotalaria is also known to suppress Meloidogyne nematode populations[].

Other Uses

A strong fibre is obtained from the bark and stems[]. It is occasionally used for the fibre obtained from its stem[].

The seeds contain a gum that is extractable by dry milling[].

Propagation

Seed - sown broadcast or in rows. Pre-soaking the seed for 12 hours in warm water can make germination faster and more uniform. The seed germinates in 3 - 4 days, early growth is slow and it may take about 8 weeks until the first harvest is ready[]. The plant dies after about 6 months[].

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