Common Name:

General Information

Crotalaria goodiiformis is a bushy shrub or a subshrub, sometimes with a scrambling habit; it can grow up to 2.6 metres tall[, ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of fuel.

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

Tropical Africa - eastern and southern DR Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique.

Habitat

Margins and clearings of lowland and upland rain forest; dry evergreen forest; deciduous woodland; wooded grassland and bushland; also persisting on abandoned cultivations, especially in hedges; at elevations from 75 - 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants in this genus generally prefer a sunny position, succeeding in dry to moist, well-drained soils[]. Prefers a position in some shade[].
The plant responds well to coppicing, especially when planted in some shade[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A root decoction is used in the treatment of stomach ache and hookworms[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The growing plant protects the surrounding soil from erosion, whilst the leaf litter enhances soil fertility[].

Other Uses

The twigs can be used as firesticks[].

Propagation

Seed - stored seed has a hard seedcoat and can benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination[]. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Cuttings

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