Sunn Hemp

Crotalaria juncea

Found in roadsides, also grown as a crop, and occurring as a waif in field edges (W. Barger, pers. comm., 2012; Zomlefer et al. 2018). Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Profile 6%

No photograph yet. Looking for an old drawing…

At a glance

Not yet recorded · Height · Spread · Light · Soil · Life cycle · Leaves · Bloom

This plant is missing most of its facts, so Quercus is looking them up in old botany books.

Recorded in 9 Alabama counties.

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Ecological relationships

8CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Crotalaria

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

2BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Crotalaria

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.