Grey rattlepod biology
Crotalaria dissitiflora subsp.
dissitiflora
Family: Fabaceae (Pea family).
Common names: Grey rattlepod, Crotalaria takeall, Plains rattlepod, Wild liquorice.
Confused with: Gambia Pea (
C. goreensis) and Yellow/Sand Rattlepod (
C. mitchellii).
Description:
Seedling leaves – are oblong to oval-shaped and waxy in appearance. Seedlings and young plants have silvery hairy stems.
Adult leaves – are grey-green, with three oval-shaped leaflets, each 7 - 40 mm long and 4 – 18 mm wide with tiny dots on the surface. The leaflets are hairless on the upper surface and downy underneath. The leaf stalks are up to 11 - 28 mm long.
Plants – are erect or sprawling to bushy, generally less than 30 cm high but up to 100 cm tall and much branched. Stems may or may not be covered in short hairs while the young growth is covered in silvery hairs.
Flowers - are pea-like, rounded, 8 – 11 mm long, bright golden-yellow and borne in groups of 10 - 30 on long flowering stems that are 80 – 260 mm long. Flowering stems occur at the tips of stems and branches, with the uppermost flowers on the flowering stems opening first.
Seed heads – are slightly hairy, rounded oblong pods, 13 - 30 mm long and 4 – 8 mm wide, with an upturned point. The seeds are yellow and 3 mm long. The loose seeds rattle in the seed head when shaken.
Lifecycle/Biology: A perennial species that grows from seed, but also grows vegetatively from thick underground woody roots. Germination occurs after summer rains followed by rapid growth. Flowering occurs after rainfall year round, but is most common in summer and autumn. It sheds its leaves during winter.
Ecology: Found in cultivation, rangeland and roadside situations on heavy clay soils.
The problem: Grey rattlepod is known as a take-all species because of its woody underground root system and ability to form dense competitive stands. It is capable of surviving long dry spells and quickly re-shoots after rain. It is difficult to control because of this regenerative potential.
Distribution: Occurs throughout central and northern Australia.
Origin: A native Australian species.
References:
Plants of Western New South Wales, p. 387.
Crop Weeds of Northern Australia, p. 76.
