Crotalaria verrucosa: Plate 55

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Crotalaria verrucosa: Plate 55

Plate 55 from Banks' Florilegium shows Crotalaria verrucosa (Leguminosae). Crotalaria verrucosa is known as the blue rattlepod. The seeds become free within the maturing pod and rattle when shaken. Solander originally named this plant Dolichos stipularis because he thought it belonged to Linnaeus's genus Dolichos and because of the leaf-like stipules at the base of each leaf stalk. He didn't realise this was the same East Indies plant Linnaeus himself had named Crotalaria verrucosa in 1753.

This plate was engraved by Daniel MacKenzie.

Photo: George Serras.

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This specimen of Crotalaria verrucosa was collected by Banks and Solander at Endeavour. Courtesy: Royal National Botanical Gardens.

This sketch was completed by Endeavour artist Sydney Parkinson in 1770. Courtesy: The Natural History Museum, London.

This watercolour, based on Parkinson's sketch, was painted by Frederick Polydore Nodder in 1777. Courtesy: The Natural History Museum, London.