What is meant by crotalaria?

What is meant by crotalaria?

Crotalaria is a genus of herbaceous plants and woody shrubs in the Family Fabaceae commonly known as rattlepods. The common name rattlepod or rattlebox is derived from the fact that the seeds become loose in the pod as they mature, and rattle when the pod is shaken.

What is the floral formula of crotalaria?

Floral formula: Crotalaria medicaginea Lamk; Verna Gulabi. Stem-herbaceous, aerial erect, branched, cylindrical, solid, pubescent, green. Leaf-cauline, ramal, alternate, stipulate, palmately compound trifoliate, petiolate, leaf base pulvinus, leaflet obovate, entire, hairy. Inflorescence-racemose, raceme.

What is the common name of crotalaria pallida?

Rattlebox
Crotalaria pallida Aiton

Is smooth Rattlebox edible?

At the same time, smooth rattlebox has been used for food and medicine in various places. The seeds are boiled for several hours, wrapped in banana leaves and left to ferment to remove the poisons. Roasted seeds are used to make “coffee,” while the flowers are eaten as a vegetable.

What is endemic ascites?

There was an outbreak of rapidly progressing ascites and jaundice among the tribals. Mortality rate was 40%. Investigation by the National Institute of Nutrition concluded that this outbreak was due to intake of Millet seeds contaminated with Crotalaria seeds which form their main diet.

Is the characteristic feature of flower of?

Keel is petal is vexillary aestivation, which is a characteristic of family – Fabaceae, i.e. Indigofera tomato belongs to family – Solanaceae, tulip and while aloe to Liliaceae. Hence, keel is the characteristic feature of flower of family – Papilionaceae.

What are floral characters of Fabaceae?

To sum up, in general, the flowers of the Fabaceae family are zygomorphic, bisexual, pentamerous and hypogynous. Calyx has five sepals, which are united or gamosepalous with valvate or imbricate aestivation. Corolla consists of five petals, which are polypetalous with vexillary aestivation.

What is the scientific name of Crotalaria?

Crotalaria is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae (subfamily Faboideae) commonly known as rattlepods. The genus includes about 500 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs.

What are the characteristics of Crotalaria?

Australian Crotalaria species also show many suitable traits of harvestability, including an upright growth habit, a low tendency to dehisce and shatter, the bearing of its fruits and flowers at the ends of branches, and large to moderate seeds.

Where do Crotalaria grow in Africa?

Africa is the continent with the majority of Crotalaria species (approximately 400 species), which are mainly found in damp grassland, especially in floodplains, depressions and along edges of swamps and rivers, but also in deciduous bush land, roadsides and fields. Some species of Crotalaria are grown as ornamentals.

Is Crotalaria longirostrata a noxious weed?

Crotalaria longirostrata is considered a noxious weed in the United States since it is avoided as a source of consumption by many animals and since its seeds shatter and spread over a wide range.