Common Name:

General Information

Crotalaria incana varies from an erect annual to a somewhat woody perennial plant. It commonly grows from 25 - 130cm tall, exceptionally to 350cm, usually with spreading branches[, ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It has shown promise as a green manure crop in coffee.

Known Hazards

The plant contains toxins, including pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Cattle avoid eating it[].
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

S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Guyana; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean.

Habitat

Deciduous bushland, grassland, dry stream beds, river banks and as a weed in fields and waste places, usually preferring moist sites; at elevations up to 2,300 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Plants in this genus generally prefer a sunny position, succeeding in dry to moist, well-drained soils[].
The plan has often escaped from cultivation - it is naturalized in disturbed areas such as roadsides, pastures, and agricultural fields in Hawaii, and t is found as a weed in oil-palm and rubber plantations in southeast Asia[, ].
Cultivation of the plant was discontinued in Bogor, Indonesia, because it was attacked by insects[].
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

Flowers and unripe fruits are used as abortifacient in Paraguay, where the pods are seen as a magic cure for treating mute and stuttering children[].

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[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Used as a green manure and cover crop, showing promise when grown amongst coffee[].

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.

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