Crotalaria spectabilis Roth, Fabaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Reject, score: 9 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Crotalaria sericea Retz.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: da tuo ye zhu shi dou

English: cat's bell, rattlebox, rattlepod, showy crotalaria, showy rattlebox, showy rattlepod, silent rattlepod

French: crotalaire remarquable

Hawaiian: kolomona

Palauan: kuroteraria

Tongan: ha‘apai

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Shrub with simple narrow obovate leaves; floral bracts cordate leaflike; calyx glabrous, smaller than corolla, cleft more than halfway to base; corolla purple, pods glabrous."  (Stone, 1970)"Annual herbs; stems erect, up to 20 dm long, ridged, glabrous or nearly so.  Leaves simple, elliptic, rhombic-obovate, or oblanceolate, 5.5-14 cm long, 2.8-7.4 cm wide, veins 6-11 on each side of midvein, upper surface glabrous and slightly punctate, lower surface sparsely to densely appressed pubescent, apex rounded and often mucronate, base cuneate, petioles 4-7 mm long, stipules triangular, up to 10 mm long.  Flowers 15-27 mm long, 15-40 in terminal or axillary, somewhat lax inflorescences, rachis 13.5-42 cm long (incl. peduncle), bracts ovate, 8-15 mm long, spreading, usually persistent, bracteoles at or below mid-pedicel, ovate to triangular; calyx glabrous, the tube 5.5-7.5 mm long, the lobes 5.5-10 mm long, lateral lobes distinct at apex; petals yellow, standard 12-16 mm long, 14-18 mm wide, wings broadly oblong, 9-12 mm long, 7.5-11 mm wide, keel petals short, beak twisted and ciliate, margins ciliate; elongated anthers 2.5-3.1 mm long, short ones 0.7-1 mm long.  Pods brown or dark brown at maturity, 3.2-4 cm long, nonstipitate, glabrous.  Seeds ca. 22 per pod, dark brown, up to 4.5 mm long, smooth.  Differs from Crotalaria retusa in its large bracts and glabrous calyx."  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 663).

Habitat/ecology:  "Not much is known about showy rattlebox in its natural habitat. It grows on roadsides and disturbed areas in Florida (Long and Lakela 1976), and in Puerto Rican coastal sands and limestone rubble in areas receiving about 1650 mm of annual precipitation (author's observation) and at the edge of mangroves (Liogier 1988). Parrotta (2001) reports that it is common along stream banks in deciduous forests in India. The species is a weed of agricultural crops in the Southern United States (Bradley and Hagood 2002). It is intolerant of shade and does not grow under a forest canopy. The species seems to favor sandy soils (McGregor 1976), grows well in alkaline soils, and at least tolerates moderate soil salinity.  Showy rattlebox is well nodulated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (McGregor 1976)"  (Wildland shrubs of the United States and its territories).

In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in disturbed areas, ca. 50-120 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 663).  In Tonga, "uncommon in disturbed areas" (Whistler, 1988; p. 23).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Southern and southeastern Asia; also cultivated and naturalized thoughout the tropics (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 107)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1965) (voucher ID: PTBG 23983) Taxon name on voucher: Crotalaria spectabilis
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1980) (voucher ID: PTBG 23989) Taxon name on voucher: Crotalaria spectabilis
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 16) Voucher cited: Lorence 7893 (PTBG) Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1996) (voucher ID: PTBG 21111) Taxon name on voucher: Crotalaria spectabilis Roth.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 107)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 91) Voucher cited: M.J. Balick 4085 (NY, PTBG) Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2000) (voucher ID: PTBG 42753) Taxon name on voucher: Crotalaria spectabilis
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 107)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Adventice
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Adventice
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 7296 (PAP), J. Florence 8484 (PAP), J. Florence & M. Teikiteetini 9683 (PAP) Adventice
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 49)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Adventice
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rapa Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Adventice
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 329) Not seen, based on Fosberg record.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 107)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 663)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 663)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 663)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Ni‘ihau Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 663)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 663) Voucher cited: Mann & Brigham 239 (BISH)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Tarawa Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 107)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll		Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 144) Vouchers cited: Fosberg 58647 (US), Swarbrick 9579 (BRIU)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 90)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive	Tassin, Jacques (2005)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 82) Vouchers cited: Balansa 305, de Pompéry s.n., Däniker 52, MacKee 4638, Suprin 1987, Toutain 3927 (NOU), MacKee 45502
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 100)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 59)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1978) (voucher ID: BNM 1249) Taxon name on voucher: Crotalaria spectabilis Roth
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1981) (voucher ID: BNM 3007) Taxon name on voucher: Crotalaria spectabilis Roth
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1982) (voucher ID: BNM 3170) Taxon name on voucher: Crotalaria spectabilis Roth
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 107)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 96)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1965) (voucher ID: PTBG 22781) Taxon name on voucher: Crotalaria spectabilis
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 96)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 60)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Ha‘apai Islands		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 23)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	New South Wales	introduced invasive	National Herbarium of New South Wales (2013) Naturalised
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive	National Herbarium of New South Wales (2013) Naturalised
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Honduras (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 104)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	native	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) "Montane grasslands, along trails; 100-1500 m".
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island	native	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) "Montane grasslands, along trails; 100-1500 m".
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	United States (other states)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2013)
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced invasive	Francis, John K., ed. (2009)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Crotalaria spectabilis, please let us know.