Common Name:

General Information

Crotalaria spectabilis is an erect, much-branched annual to perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody and persist; it can grow 60 - 150cm tall[, , , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is often grown as a soil improver and stabilizer, having the added benefit of being able to reduce soil nematode populations. It is also often grown as an ornamental, valued especialy for its long flowering season[, ].

Known Hazards

The plant is toxic to livestock[].
The seed and other above-ground parts contain the pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline, which lowers blood pressure but is toxic to farm animals and probably also to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)[].
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have a cumulative effect upon the body and, unless concentrations in a plant are high, occasional use is generally completely safe. They are derived from amino acids including ornithine. Many pyrrolizidine 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[].
Because of its bitterness the green material is avoided by livestock[]

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia. Naturalized throughout the Tropics.

Habitat

Montane grasslands, along trails, forest margins and as a weed of cultivated fields; at elevations from 100 - 1,500 metres[, ].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

A plant of the seasonal and wet tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 28°c, but can tolerate 9 - 32°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -2°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 1,600mm, but tolerates 900 - 2,800mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position, tolerating some shade[]. Tolerant of a wide range of soils, including those of low fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 4.9 - 8[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
The plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized throughout the tropics. It is considered to be an invasive a weed of disturbed and cultivated ground[], and has been declared a 'Noxious Weed' in America.
Spring sown in Brazil the plant provides groundcover in 70 - 85 days, it flowers after 70 -85 days, and matures in 90 - 130 days[].
Annual green material production may be about 50 tonnes per hectare[].
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

Flowers - cooked and eaten as a vegetable, or pickled after boiling[].

Medicinal

The plant is used in the treatment of scabies and impetigo[].

The seed and other above-ground parts contain the pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline, which has been shown to lower blood pressure but is also toxic[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is grown as a green manure and also to stabilize the soil[, ]. It is an excellent source of organic matter - its fresh foliage usually contains between 0.5 - 1% nitrogen, which when incorporated into the soil improves fertility and nutrient retention, while providing structure to the soil by enriching it of humus and retarding erosion[].
It contains the pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline, which is toxic to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). The plant's growth rate and effective control of root-knot and sting nematodes make it a very useful green manure crop. Its effect on nematodes and potential as a trap crop for root-knot nematodes should be studied further[].

Other Uses

The stem yields a fairly strong, durable fibre[, ].

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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