{"product_id":"nasiona-krotalarii-okazalej-crotalaria-spectabilis","title":"Showy Rattlepod Seeds - Crotalaria spectabilis","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003eShowy Crotalaria - Crotalaria spectabilis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003eCrotalaria spectabilis\u003c\/strong\u003e is an upright, highly branched herbaceous plant from the legume family (Fabaceae). In temperate climates, it grows as a fast-growing annual, usually reaching \u003cstrong\u003e60–150 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, and up to \u003cstrong\u003e2 m\u003c\/strong\u003e in favorable conditions. It has large, obovate leaves 8–14 cm long and long racemes of yellow pea-like flowers. The entire plant, especially the seeds, contains the pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline and is poisonous to humans and animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth and Development Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eShowy crotalaria is one of the fastest-growing plants of its genus. The first flowers appear as early as about \u003cstrong\u003e2 months\u003c\/strong\u003e after emergence, while the full life cycle lasts \u003cstrong\u003e4–6 months\u003c\/strong\u003e. The plant develops a deep taproot reaching \u003cstrong\u003e120 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, with nodules containing bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen. In the tropics, it lives as a semi-shrub for 2–3 years, while in temperate zones it dies with the first frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering and Fruiting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eThe inflorescences are loose racemes \u003cstrong\u003e15–50 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e long, usually bearing 20–30 or more flowers. The bright yellow standard is about \u003cstrong\u003e2 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e in diameter, often with purplish-red veining at the base. In temperate climates, flowering occurs in late summer and autumn, until the first frosts. After pollination, swollen, club-shaped pods \u003cstrong\u003e4–5 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e long develop, turning brown to almost black over time and containing 20–24 heart-shaped seeds that rattle when shaken after ripening - hence the genus name.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin and Natural Habitat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eThe species originates in Asia: from the Indian subcontinent (Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh), through the Himalayas, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, to southern China and Taiwan. There, it grows from sea level to approximately \u003cstrong\u003e1500 m above sea level\u003c\/strong\u003e, on forest edges, in grasslands and in fields. Widely used as a green manure crop, it now grows wild in tropical regions around the world, including the southeastern United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Requirements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eShowy crotalaria is undemanding. It grows best in full sun but tolerates light partial shade. It grows in almost any well-drained soil with a pH of \u003cstrong\u003e4.8–8.0\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a slightly acidic to neutral optimum. Thanks to its symbiosis with nodule-forming bacteria, it does not require nitrogen fertilization. Young plants should be watered regularly, while older plants tolerate periods of drought well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eThe plant is sensitive to cold: young growth is damaged at temperatures of around \u003cstrong\u003e-1°C\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the plant dies in the ground with the first frost. In cooler regions of Europe, it is therefore grown as an annual, planting it outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. It also grows well in a large pot (at least 10–15 l) on a terrace or balcony, in a well-drained substrate with added sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrnamental Uses and Safety Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eIn the garden, showy crotalaria stands out with its lush, exotic foliage and long, bright yellow inflorescences in beds with annual plants. In autumn, the rattling pods become an ornamental feature and are often used in dried bouquets. It is also a valuable catch crop that enriches the soil with nitrogen and helps limit nematodes. Due to the toxicity of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, the plants and seeds should be kept out of reach of children, pets and farm animals.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"mr.seed","offers":[{"title":"5","offer_id":54108253094216,"sku":"2709","price":4.6,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":54108253126984,"sku":"2710","price":7.9,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":54108253159752,"sku":"2711","price":66.0,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0939\/2649\/0440\/files\/Nasiona-Krotalarii-OkazalejCrotalaria-Spectabilis.webp?v=1790068239","url":"https:\/\/www.mrseed.eu\/en\/products\/nasiona-krotalarii-okazalej-crotalaria-spectabilis","provider":"mr.seed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}