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Looking for a unique and versatile plant for your garden? Look no further than Crotalaria pallida, also known as Smooth Crotalaria or Smooth Rattlebox. This annual or short-lived perennial herb grows up to 5 ft tall with stout, hairy stems that have longitudinal grooves. Its trifoliate leaves with elliptical to obovate leaflets make for a stunning addition to any garden.
In addition to being an ornamental plant, C. pallida is also grown as a ground cover and green manure crop, especially in the inter-rows of rubber trees and coconut palms. Its flowers are even eaten as a vegetable in Cambodia, where the seeds are roasted and grounded for use as a sort of coffee beverage.
Traditional medicine also recognizes the health benefits of Crotalaria pallida, with its roots being applied as a poultice to reduce swelling of joints and its leaves taken as an extract to expel intestinal worms.
This versatile plant is found in Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Indonesia, Sudan, Florida, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and India. With its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it recently gained significance due to its anticancer properties. Add some Smooth Crotalaria to your garden today and reap its many benefits.