Herbs annual. Stems erect, 30–90 cm, strigose to strigose-sericeous. Leaves unifoliolate; stipules sometimes absent, seta­ceous, not decurrent on stem, 1–2 mm; blade obovate to spatulate or oblanceolate, 30–80 mm, length 2.2–3(–4) times width, surfaces strigose abax­ially, glabrous adaxially. Racemes 5–24-flowered, terminal, subterminal, or lateral, 10–20(–30) cm; bracts caducous, linear, 2–3 mm. Flowers: calyx broadly cylindrical, 12–15 mm, basally truncate, lobes triangular-lanceolate, glabrous or slightly puberulous; corolla bright yellow, with prominent reddish lines to strongly red-tinted, 20–25 mm. Legumes 25–40(–50) × 10–14 mm, glabrous. 2n = 16.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Oct, Jan–Apr.
Habitat: Fallow fields, roadsides, sandy wastes.
Elevation: 0–100 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; Fla., Ga., Ky., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tex., Africa, introduced also in Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Asia, Indian Ocean Islands, Pacific Islands, Australia.

Discussion

In the flora area, Crotalaria retusa is commonly found in subtropical Florida but much more rarely in temperate areas, where it does not persist.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.