Common Name: Curare Pea

General Information

Crotalaria trichotoma is an erect annual or short-lived perennial growing up to 2.5 metres tall[].
The plant is often grown as a green manure and ground cover crop[].

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

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Range

Eastern tropical Africa - Tanzania, Mozambique.

Habitat

Grassy sites in coastal forest clearings, bushland, Brachystegia woodland, grasslands, roadsides and cultivated fields, at elevations up to 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants in this genus generally prefer a sunny position, succeeding in dry to moist, well-drained soils[]. Succeeds on degraded and compacted soils[]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[].
Grown as a green manure, the plant sometimes escapes from cultivation and has been recorded as a weed in some areas[].
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

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Because of its quick growth and good production of green matter, this species is grown as a green manure and cover crop in tea, coffee, rubber and citrus plantations. It is especially grown in locations where Crotalaria micans is severely attacked by Ragmus bugs or where a lower-growing cover is preferred[, ]. This species performs better on degraded and compacted soils than most other green manure crops[].
It is cultivated before pineapples in order to reduce problems from nematode pests. The nemotodes hatch when this species is growing, but the plant contains the pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline, which is toxic to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.).[].

Other Uses

The bark contains fibre, but this is of poor quality. It is unsuitable for making bags, but is possibly adequate for cordage[].

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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