Crotalaria retusa Linnaeus (1753: 715)

Flores, Andréia Silva & Tozzi, Ana Maria Goulart De Azevedo, 2018, A synopsis of the genus Crotalaria (Leguminosae) in Brazil, Phytotaxa 346 (1), pp. 31-58 : 48

29. Crotalaria retusa Linnaeus (1753: 715) .

Lectotype (designated by Niyomdham 1978):— SRI LANKA. Hermann , folio 2: 21, sub n. 276 (BM 621577 digital image!)

Subshrubs or shrubs 0.5–1 m high; branches thinly pubescent; internodal stem wings absent. Leaves simple, blades oblanceolate or oblong- obovate, 3.5–6.2 × 0.8–1.9 cm, glabrous above and finely pubescent beneath; stipules 1–2 mm long, linear, deciduous. Inflorescence a raceme, 12–24 cm long, terminal; peduncles 2–3.5 cm long. Flowers 13–21, pedicels 5–9 mm long; bracts 2–4 × 1 mm, linear, persistent; bracteoles 1–2 × 1 mm, linear, persistent; calyx 11–14 mm long, 5 lobes subequals, longer than the tube, puberulous; corolla bright yellow; the standard petal 1.8–2.2 × 1.8–2.3 cm; wing petal 1.5–2 cm long; keel 1.5–1.8 cm long, twisted; ovary 8–10 mm long, short stipitate; style geniculate. Legume 3.3–4 × 0.9–1.8 cm, oblong- clavate, glabrous, black at the maturity, ca. 20-seeded. Seeds 4–6 × 3 mm, seed coat brown or yellowish.

Distribution and Ecology: —This taxon is native to Asia, but is extensively cultivated in Brazil as green manure, and it occurs as a ruderal species in disturbed areas and roadsides.

Selected specimens studied: — BRAZIL. Bahia: Salvador, 19 November 1985, s.col. (HUCS 1457). Maranhão: São Luís , 08 June 1985, Silva s.n. ( HEPH 5817–3 ) ; São Mateus, 3º46’S 44º32’ W, 28 September 1980, Daly 339 ( INPA). Minas Gerais: São Gonçalo do Sapucaí, 15 October 2001, Flores et al. 674 ( UEC). Pará: Vigia, Itaporá, 27 February 1985, Lobato & Oliveira 119 ( MG). Paraná: Campina Grande do Sul, 22 December 2000, Flores & Rodrigues 433 ( ICN). Piauí: Piracuruca, Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades , 04 April 2002, Flores et al. 933 ( UEC). Rio de Janeiro: Araruama, 11 August 1963, Pereira 97 ( PEL). Santa Catarina: Governador Celso Ramos, 20 January 2001, Flores & Rodrigues 464 ( ICN). São Paulo: Campinas, 17 October 2001, Flores 678 ( UEC) .