![](http://extadmin.ifas.ufl.edu/nwdistrictmedia/phag/2017/08/crotalaria.jpg)
Commonly known as Showy Rattlebox, Showy Crotalaria is a fast growing summer annual that germinates in early spring and flowers in late summer. As a member of the legume family, it was brought to the United States to be used as a cover crop to help set nitrogen in dry sandy soils. Showy Crotalaria is toxic to livestock, containing high levels of alkaloids, which commonly cause issues in cattle and horses in the southeastern states.