"Erect perennial shrub, c. 1 m high;..." (PlantNet)

Crotalaria mitchellii has two subspecies, subsp. mitchellii and subsp. laevis, both having similar distributions. Whilst both taxa occur on light-textured soils, the subsp. laevis has been known to grow on basaltic soils. Crotalaria mitchellii subsp. laevis has leaves measuring 1-1.5cm across and mostly glabrous stems however these distinctions should be studied more thoroughly in authoritative references such as those below. Crotalaria novae-hollandiae is another native rattlepod which may be confused with C. mitchelli subsp. laevis, however the latter species produces petioles measuring 3-5mm whilst the petioles of C. novae-hollandiae measure 5-20mm in length.

Nitrogen fixing forbs such as Crotalaria species are potentially very useful in rehabilitation projects though currently very difficult to obtain. In many cases wild stands are under pressure and removing their seed may be unhelpful to the cause of conservation. In our area are several previous herbarium sampling sites where Crotalaria mitchellii has since been outcompeted by Eragrostis curvula (African Lovegrass) and other weeds on granitic soils.

We are testing the culture of such plants, including Crotalaria, for seed production. In this manner appropriate forms can be selected from desireable sites, edaphic factors all considered, and parent stocks can be left alone to continue living and reproducing in their wild habitats.

PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au [Accessed: Jan 22, 2021]

https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Crotalaria~mitchellii

Stanley, T.D. and Ross, E.M. (1983). Flora of south-eastern Queensland, Vol. 1, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane. p. 275, Crotalaria mitchellii.