Crotalaria PALLIDA

Crotalaria PALLIDA - Smooth rattlebox, Pale rattlebox, Crotalaria pallida.

Crotalaria is a large genus comprising 500 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs in the legume family (Fabaceae), native to South Asia. In the wild, it can be found in South Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and the South Caucasus. Shrubs are widespread in the tropics and subtropics. Recently, the plant has begun to be widely cultivated in Africa.

The shrubs have erect shoots with distinct ribs up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long. The leaves consist of 3 rounded light green parts measuring 4 cm (1.6 in), standard for most legumes. The leaf blades have a pubescent surface.

Flowers are gathered in large inflorescences - racemes up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long. The flowers can be bright yellow, white, or green. More rarely, the petals are dark purple, almost black. After flowering is complete, green pods are formed containing rounded bean-like seeds.

Smooth rattlebox has a sturdy pubescent stem with longitudinal grooves. Trifoliate elliptic leaflets 3-13 cm (1.2-5.1 in) long and 2-5 cm (0.8-2.0 in) wide are located on petioles 2-8 cm (0.8-3.1 in) long. Racemose inflorescences with 20-30 yellow flowers, often with reddish-brown veins, bloom on peduncles 15-40 cm (5.9-15.7 in) long. After flowering, fruits appear containing 30-40 shiny heart-shaped seeds each.

The crop is propagated by sowing seeds into nutrient-rich soil to a depth of 2 cm (0.8 in). The seed material is pre-soaked in warm water for 12 hours. The sowings are placed in a warm spot where the air temperature is 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seeds are sown into open ground in spring, once the threat of night frosts has passed.

Germination occurs in 3 days, and the first leaves appear. The soil is watered with warm water 2 hours before pricking out. Prepared containers are filled to 1/4 with soil mix, and a depression is made for the root. The seedling is removed with a root ball, transferred to the new container, placed in the hole, and covered with soil. After pricking out, the seedlings are watered or misted.

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Crotalaria should be planted in shaded areas that receive sun for a few hours a day. The plant prefers acidic, well-drained soil. The air temperature during planting should not be lower than 15 °C (59 °F).

It is not necessary to water the shrubs regularly, but during prolonged drought, they should be misted. Perennials require repotting every year in spring. Feed plantings twice a month with potassium-rich formulations.