Rattlebox
Crotalaria alata
- Native to:
- Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Cambodia, China, Hainan, India, Jawa, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Crotalaria
- Species:
- Crotalaria alata
- USDA Symbol:
- CRAL12
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open, sunny areas with poor soil
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat requires scarification for best germination rates. Warm temperatures promote germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI