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Leguminosae-pap Crotalaria retusa L.

| | © W.D. Hawthorne

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Species information

Description
Annual to 1m; stems hairy; leaves oblanceoltae, to 10cm long, rounded or notched at tip. Infls 30cm long, unbranched, corolla yellow with purple veins inside, dark red ones outside. Pods up to 4.5cm x 1.8cm, hairless.

Interest
The species was introduced probably from Asia to St.Vincent Botanic garden in 1786. By 1800 it had become a pest across the whole island. It is toxic to horses (Flora). The stems can be used for fibre. The kleaves and flowers are used in Grenada to make a cold-cure tea, where healers are said to favour parts of the plant that caterpillars are atrracted (Politi, 1996).. However, the plant is very poisonous and should be avoided by amateur herbalists.

Specimen information

Collector
W.D. Hawthorne, D.Jules

Specimen Number
775

Location
Around Levera pond/mangrove area.

Notes
Common roadside weed here; leaves dotted with translucent glands.

Coordinates
Latitude: 12.120000 N   Longitude: 61.360000 W   Altitude: 0.0