Furry Rattlepod
Origin of name
Family: FABACEAE
- Cajanus is a local name for Pigeon Pea
- reticulatus meaning “net-like“
Occurrence
A local plant, usually in open forest, but occurs also in vine thickets and monsoon forest.
Little known in cultivation. Natural habitat indicates a preference for full sun and good drainage and tolerance of aridity & poor soils.
Appearance
Erect, sparse, perennial shrub to 2m, but sometimes sprawling. Yellow, pea-type flowers (any time) lead to flattened, densely hairy pods with 2-8 seeds.
Roasted roots are bush tucker. Can flower & fruit as 1-1.5m shrub. Yellow flowers and distinctive leaves are a feature. Caterpillars of the Small Purple Line Blue, Dark Cerulean, and Spotted Pea Blue butterflies eat the leaves.
