Common Name: Smooth rattelpod. Tamil Name: Kilu-Kiluppai
Smooth rattelpod is a sub-shrub often seen on road-sides and fallow lands in Tamilnadu; it grows to a height of about 1.5 meters. The leaves have a trifoliate arrangement; leaf shape is obovate, base is cuneate and apex rounded. The leaf stalk measures around 4.5 cm. The central leaflet, of the trifoliate structure measures around 5-6 cm in length. The inflorescence is in the form of a terminal raceme and measure around 15 cm; bearing several yellow colored flowers. The flower stalk and flower measure around 4 mm and 1.5 cm respectively. The flower is pea shaped and petals are yellow in color with reddish veins. The fruit is in the form of a cylindrical pod around 3.5 cm long. The pod encloses several small seeds. Smooth rattelpod is used as green cover and a manure plant. It is often inter-cropped in agro forestry systems to maximize yields. C pallida is the larval host plant for Pea blue butterfly (source www.ifoundbutterflies.org).
