Showy Rattlebox
Crotalaria spectabilis
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicobar Is., Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
DouglasGoldman
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Crotalaria
- Species:
- Crotalaria spectabilis
- USDA Symbol:
- CRSP2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Pulse pod borer (Etiella zinckenella)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Ornate moth (Utetheisa ornatrix)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open, disturbed sites; tolerates poor soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat requires scarification (mechanical or hot water treatment) for best germination. Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions after scarification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI