Shakeshake
Crotalaria incana
- Native to:
- Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Cayman Is., Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Galápagos, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Leeward Is., Madagascar, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palau, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Trinidad-Tobago, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Uganda, Uruguay, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Virgin Islands, Windward Is., Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
iNaturalist: © atp_synthaz3 (iNaturalist #26348443)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Crotalaria
- Species:
- Crotalaria incana
- USDA Symbol:
- CRIN5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Pulse pod borer (Etiella zinckenella)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed areas with poor soil
Propagation & Germination
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break physical dormancy.