Crotalaria sessiliflora
L.
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(c) Chang Zhi Xiang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
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(c) Stargazer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Stargazer
Description
Crotalaria sessiliflora is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Edible Uses
Pods and seeds - cooked.
Medicinal Uses
Depurative Salve. Salve. A paste of the plant is applied as a poultice to treat headaches. The plant is used as a detoxifier of toxins such as DDT, arsenic, poisonous mushrooms etc.
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.
Distribution
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea and Manchuria.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hainan Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Japan, Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal), Nepal, Pakistan (north), Indonesia (Papua), Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia (Jawa, Sulawesi, Sumatera), Malaysia (Malaya), Philippines, East Timor
Cultivation
None known
Propagation
Seed -
