Crotalaria sagittalis

Germination of an unspecified species of Crotalaria was greatly improved by scarification for 15 minutes with concentrated sulfuric acid (Harcombe 1961). Seeds average approximately 108,000/lb.

All parts are poisonous to livestock.

A warm-season forb that reproduces by seed. The seeds become loose in the pods, giving this species its common name "rattlebox." It grows generally in sandy or gravelly soils of disturbed areas, woods, old fields and along streams in the eastern United States. All parts of this plant are poisonous to livestock but the seeds contain the most poison. The toxic element is an alkaloid called "monocrotaline." Symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, loss of flesh, and sleepy appearance. The progress of poisoning is slow and death may occur several weeks or months after toxic quantities are eaten. In some cases a cardiac or heart stimulant is helpful. The most dangerous period is fall. Crotalatias are self-fertile.

Dry open soil, waste land, rocky prairies, open wooded slopes, sandy open areas, dunes, fields and woodland borders.