Rattlebox

Description

Crotaleria sagittalis, commonly known as Rattlebox or Arrowhead Rattlebox, is a native annual legume.

Long-tongued bees, including bumblebees, Carder bees, Cuckoo bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees are the plant’s primary pollinators. Sometimes the flowers are visited by small butterflies or skippers, but they are less effective at cross-pollination. Bella Moth caterpillars feed on the foliage. In addition, there have been reports of Frosted Elfin caterpillars and the skipper caterpillars of Wild Indigo Duskywing feeding on the foliage.  Though the foliage is considered toxic to herbivorous mammals, White-Tailed Deer will occasionally chomp off the tops of individual plants.

Rattlebox is toxic to livestock, particularly horses, and it is generally avoided by them as a food source.

This plant prefers full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and barren soil containing sand, gravel, or clay. This wildflower is intolerant of competition from taller ground vegetation.

Habitats include sand prairies, gravel prairies, clay prairies, sandy and rocky savannas, upland savannas, rocky glades, openings and small meadows in upland woodlands, fallow fields, and areas along railroads. Rattlebox prefers dry open areas with a history of disturbance.