Crotalaria sphaerocarpa

Crotalaria sphaerocarpa

Native to:
Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Crotalaria
Species:
Crotalaria sphaerocarpa
USDA Symbol:
CRSP9

Growth Characteristics

Height:
100 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
yellow

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

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds benefit from scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) followed by cold stratification to break dormancy.