This is a non-native wildflower from southern Asia, but it grows WILD all over the southeastern USA. It will continue to grow and bloom throughout the summer on its long graceful and sturdy stem. It will form seed pods in the fall and the loose seeds inside will rattle in the wind, sounding just like a rattlesnake!
Got the front yard mowed yesterday. Took me nearly all day in the heat and humidity. It's about the size of three of my backyards. I was exhausted and fried when I finished. Thus, I am behind again here. Will catch up on your pics as quick as I can!
Very pretty flower, lovely photograph of it as well. It os new to me, I think. Wonder if it would grow in Missouri? Wonder if it is poisonous for livestock?
@lynnb LOL! The first time I heard some rattling - I froze and started looking in the direction of the sound. When I found out what it was, I had to laugh at myself! Thank you for your comments and visit, Lynn!
@meisen325 I will try to get a video this fall, Monica! Thank you for your kind comments! Most appreciated!
@dauber I found some more interesting info on this here and I will quote... "It is Crotalaria. It is a legume; therefore, it has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. It was planted as a cover crop back in the late 50s and 60s to add nitrogen to the soil. It soon showed its tendency to just keep germinating year after year and other pesty characteristics. It's seed can lay dormant for many, many years in the soil only to germinate when the ground is disturbed. Each one of the many seed pods contains numerous seeds. This allows it to reproduce like wild fire. Harvesting desirable crops with Crotalaria plants in the field gets Crotalaria seed as well and buyers of the desirable product dock prices for the lack of purity. It is very very difficult to get rid of. The genus contains several specie. It is sometimes referred to as rattle box. When the seed pod dries you can shake the pod and it will produce a sound similar to a rattle snake. Most parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the seed. You don't see it very frequently in recent years ...... thank goodness." http://www.scoutdoornews.com/forum/showthread.php?11303-What-is-this&s=bbdf77850e86dbf8fb905242bb10b633
I checked the webpage link you sent, thanks! It linked to another page from W Va listing poisonous plants, and that site said it is poisonous to poultry, goats, cattle, humans, etc, especially dangerous to cattle in fall when pastures dry up. Glad I asked and you answered! Might have planted something I shouldn't! @marlboromaam
@skipt07 I appreciate your honesty, Skip! Thank you! Only giving a different view of this plant. I'm thinking a full view is yet to come.
@dauber Is this where you found it? http://www.caf.wvu.edu/~forage/library/poisonous/page5.htm
Around here, wild jasmine, wild wisteria and poke weed, along with this plant are very poisonous but, oddly enough - most animals won't touch it. Wild jasmine and poke weed, along with this plant grow in the corral and although I did pull them up and toss them, my horse never touched these plants. I guess some animals are smart enough to leave them alone.
@smithak Thank you for your lovely comments, Smitha! Most appreciated!
@dauber Thank you, RL! Really appreciate your comments and visit. Here's a link with more information about it. Not sure if it's growing wild in MO or not. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=Crsp2
@lynnb LOL! The first time I heard some rattling - I froze and started looking in the direction of the sound. When I found out what it was, I had to laugh at myself! Thank you for your comments and visit, Lynn!
@dauber I found some more interesting info on this here and I will quote... "It is Crotalaria. It is a legume; therefore, it has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. It was planted as a cover crop back in the late 50s and 60s to add nitrogen to the soil. It soon showed its tendency to just keep germinating year after year and other pesty characteristics. It's seed can lay dormant for many, many years in the soil only to germinate when the ground is disturbed. Each one of the many seed pods contains numerous seeds. This allows it to reproduce like wild fire. Harvesting desirable crops with Crotalaria plants in the field gets Crotalaria seed as well and buyers of the desirable product dock prices for the lack of purity. It is very very difficult to get rid of. The genus contains several specie. It is sometimes referred to as rattle box. When the seed pod dries you can shake the pod and it will produce a sound similar to a rattle snake. Most parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the seed. You don't see it very frequently in recent years ...... thank goodness." http://www.scoutdoornews.com/forum/showthread.php?11303-What-is-this&s=bbdf77850e86dbf8fb905242bb10b633
@dauber Is this where you found it? http://www.caf.wvu.edu/~forage/library/poisonous/page5.htm
Around here, wild jasmine, wild wisteria and poke weed, along with this plant are very poisonous but, oddly enough - most animals won't touch it. Wild jasmine and poke weed, along with this plant grow in the corral and although I did pull them up and toss them, my horse never touched these plants. I guess some animals are smart enough to leave them alone.
@danette That's an interesting thought, Danette! Thank you for your wonderful remarks!
@sangwann Thank you, Dione!
@mantha Thank you, Sam! xo