Crotalaria pilosa
Mill.
Fabaceae
Crotalaria genistella Kunth
Crotalaria hexaptera Schrank
Crotalaria pterocaula Desv.
Common Name:
General Information
Crotalaria pilosa is an annual plant usually growing 40 - 80cm tall, occasionally to 100cm[
1340- Title
- Las Especies Argentinas De Crotalaria (Leguminosae - Crotalarieae): Novedades, Descripciones Y Clave
- Publication
- Gayana Bot. 57( 1 ): 67-87. 2000
- Author
- Edith Gómez-Sosa
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0016-5301
- Description
-
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
Known Hazards
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[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
]. 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[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Botanical References
1340- Title
- Las Especies Argentinas De Crotalaria (Leguminosae - Crotalarieae): Novedades, Descripciones Y Clave
- Publication
- Gayana Bot. 57( 1 ): 67-87. 2000
- Author
- Edith Gómez-Sosa
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0016-5301
- Description
-
Range
S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica; Caribbean - Cuba to Trinidad
Habitat
By rivers, low fields and in grassland[
1340- Title
- Las Especies Argentinas De Crotalaria (Leguminosae - Crotalarieae): Novedades, Descripciones Y Clave
- Publication
- Gayana Bot. 57( 1 ): 67-87. 2000
- Author
- Edith Gómez-Sosa
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0016-5301
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Annual |
| Height | 0.60 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Annual and short-lived perennial plants in this genus generally grow best in a sunny position, succeeding in most dry to moist, well-drained soils[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The plant is widely used in folk medicine in Colombia to cure gonorrhea, for baths and poultices, and as a disinfectant for wounds and sores[
1340- Title
- Las Especies Argentinas De Crotalaria (Leguminosae - Crotalarieae): Novedades, Descripciones Y Clave
- Publication
- Gayana Bot. 57( 1 ): 67-87. 2000
- Author
- Edith Gómez-Sosa
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0016-5301
- Description
-
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - sow in situ. Pre-soaking the seed for 12 hours in warm water can help to reduce germination time.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
