Crotalaria linifolia

L. f.

Narrow leaf Rattlepod

Fabaceae Edible: Leaves 30 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by

Description

A herb. It grows 20-60 cm high and spreads 50 cm wide. It has a thick taproot. The branches have long hairs. The leaves are 2-5 cm long by 0.5-1 cm wide. The flower clusters are loose and at the ends of branches. The flowers are 1 cm long and yellow. The fruit is a pod 1 cm long.

Edible Uses

The young shoots are eaten as a leafy vegetable.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots are eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It suits tropical areas. It grows from coastal to inland regions. In southern China it grows in sandy areas along sea shores and between 400-2,500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, Indian, Japan, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tibet,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed.

Notes

There are about 550 Crotalaria species. They are mostly tropical.

Synonyms

Probably Crotalaria montanaor Crotalaria tecta Roth.

Also Known As

Pike-san-gyi

References (6)

Hide, R., et al, 1979, A checklist of some plants in the territory of the Sinasina Nimai (Simbai Province, Papua New Guinea), with notes on their uses. Department Anthropology, University of Aukland
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 68
Petheram, R.J. and Kok, B., 2003, Plants of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. UWA Press p 95
Powell, J.M., Ethnobotany. In Paijmans, K., 1976, New Guinea Vegetation. Australian National University Press. p 109
Suppl. pl. 322. 1782 ("1781")

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