Fabaceae-Papilionaceae
Crotalaria grata
S
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
An erect herb or shrub, typically reaching 1.5 metres in height. It features pale green calyces and striking yellow flowers, with the standard and wings heavily striped with dark red, and the keel being greenish yellow, also striped with dark red. This species is naturally found in sandy flat areas and tidal creek valleys.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species thrives in full sun and well-drained, sandy soils, making it suitable for coastal gardens and landscape restoration, particularly in sunny spots in Kilifi.
Growing notes
Expect a fast growth rate. As an indigenous species of coastal Kenya, it is likely hardy and tolerates drought once established in its preferred conditions. Note that many species within the genus Crotalaria are known to contain toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: jstor.org, pfaf.org, plantaedb.com, ncsu.edu, wikipedia.org. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.