Family:
Fabaceae
Toxic Parts:
all
Toxins:
pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Flower Color:
  • flower color
Found:
waterside, woodlands, meadows

Geographical Distribution

Smooth rattlebox distribution - United States

Related Species

Smooth Rattlebox

Crotalaria pallida

Streaked Rattlepod
7/ 10
Smooth rattlebox (Crotalaria pallida) is an erect, upright, well-branched annual or short-lived perennial shrub from the Fabaceae family. It is native to tropical regions of North and South America and was introduced into Australia where it has now become a common weed.

Smooth Rattlebox Toxic Components


Smooth rattlebox seeds contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which are known for causing liver damage in livestock. The effects of eating crotalaria seeds may only become apparent weeks or months after the animal has stopped eating the seeds, since the toxins have a cumulative effect.

Smooth Rattlebox Distinguishing Features


  • Yellow flowers in a terminal raceme. Petals are yellow with reddish-brown veins.
  • Produces long brown cylindrical pods, which rattle when shaken.
  • An erect plant that grows to 2 meters in height.