Rattlebox, so called because its seed pods, when ripe and dried, rattle in the breeze.

Crotalaria spectabilis

Pull up any Crotalaria spectabilis you see before it make seeds. Get all of them if you can, including the small ones that have not yet flowered.

This invasive exotic pest spreads rapidly, and every part of the plant is poisonous to livestock, wildlife, and dogs.

Fortunately, it’s easy to spot, due to its bright yellow flowers.

It was introduced from somewhere in the tropics as a nitrogen-fixing legume. Only then was it discovered to be toxic.

If you can, remove the plants after you pull them up.

-jsq

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