The name Crotalaria lejoloba Bartl., has been proposed for this species, based on priority by date of naming. See Ninkaew S.; Balslev H.; Pornpongrungrueng P.; Chantaranothai P.; Crotalaria L. (Fabaceae: Faboideae) in continental Southeast Asia; Phytotaxa 320 (1): 001-074; 2017[]. However, most authors are still using Crotalaria ferruginea, as will we for the time being(2017)[].

Common Name:

General Information

Crotalaria ferruginea is an erect to ascending, much-branched annual to short-lived perennial with stems that can become somewhat woody; it can grow 20 - 60cm tall, occasionally to 150cm[, , ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It has at times been used as a green manure[].

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[]. 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

E. Asia - southwest China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand.

Habitat

Open sunny places on limestone, deciduous dipterocarp, mixed deciduous, pine- oak and evergreen forests, at elevations from 35 - 2,558 metres[, ]. Open forests, montane grasslands; at elevations from 400 - 2,200 metres in China[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants in this genus generally prefer a sunny position, succeeding in dry to moist, well-drained soils[].
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

None known

Medicinal

The juice of the root is used in the treatment of fevers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used as a green manure[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - pre-soaking the seed for 12 hours in warm water can help to reduce germination time. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown in situ. Otherwise sow in trays in a nursey and, when the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot them up into individual pots. Plant out when 15cm or more tall.

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