Common Name:

General Information

Crotalaria macrocalyx is a deep-rooted perennial plant producing much-branched, erect or decumbent, annual stems from a woody rootstock. The stems can be 30 - 90cm long[, , ].
The leaves are gathered from the wild for local use as a food. The plant is sometimes sold in local markets[].

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

West tropical Africa - Senegal to Chad.

Habitat

Savannah on sandy terraces and plateaux; rocky outcrops, gravelly soils; fallow land, sandy roadsides, often ruderal; sometimes on seasonally flooded sandy hardpan soil[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Found in the wild on clay soils[]. The plant grows wild on sandy and gravelly soils[].
We have no specific report for this species, but most species in this genus have 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

Tender young leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[]. Sometimes eaten in stews, mixed with the leaves of Vigna unguiculata[]. The leaves are available all year round and can also be dried and stored for later use[].

Medicinal

None known

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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