trefle.io · Taken Nov 18, 2021 by Garcia Juan (cc-by-sa)
Fabaceae
Rattlebox
Crotalaria spectabilis
Also known as Showy crotalaria, Rattleweed, Crotalaria, Crotalaria lupiniflora
Tropical Plants · Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Rattlebox · Crotalaria · Cover Crop · Nitrogen Fixing · Fabaceae · Tropical · Yellow Flowers · Fast Growing · Ornamental · Toxic
Rattlebox is a fast-growing annual or short-lived perennial valued for its showy yellow flowers and nitrogen-fixing roots, making it useful as a cover crop or ornamental in warm gardens. Plant it in well-drained soil with at least six hours of sun and water consistently during active growth. Be aware that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so site it away from areas frequented by children or livestock.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water thoroughly until soil is evenly moist; allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings · Every 7-10 days
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 4.9–8
- Temperature
- 50°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 10a-12b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 20 ft – 40 ft
- Spread
- 20 ft
- Spacing
- 24 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yellow
- Foliage
- Green · Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alabama, Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina Northeast, Assam, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Caroline Is., Central African Repu, China South-Central, China Southeast, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle
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