Herbs annual. Stems erect to decumbent, 4–40 cm, hirsute-pilose. Leaves unifoliolate; stip­ules sometimes absent, decur­rent on mid and distal stems, lanceolate-auriculate or trian­gular, with 2 distinct, persistent, triangular distal lobes, (3–)5–10 mm or absent (in var. blumeriana); subsessile; blade elliptic to oblong or linear-lanceolate, 10–80 mm, length 4–8 times width, surfaces strigose to sparsely rusty-pilose. Racemes (1 or)2–5-flowered, terminal, subterminal, or lateral, 2–6 cm; bracts persistent, linear-triangular. Flowers: calyx broadly cylindrical, 5–8 mm, lobes triangular-lanceolate, glabrous or slightly puberulous to rusty-pilose; corolla bright yellow, 9–11 mm. Legumes 7–27(–36) × 5–11 mm, glabrous.

Distribution

United States, Mexico, West Indies, Central America.

Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Crotalaria sagittalis var. blumeriana, Crotalaria sagittalis var. sagittalis

Key

1	Stems 10–40 cm, erect; stipules prominent; legumes 10–27(–36) mm.	Crotalaria sagittalis var. sagittalis
1	Stems 4–10 cm, erect to decumbent; stipules reduced or absent; legumes 7–15 mm.	Crotalaria sagittalis var. blumeriana