Crotalaria is a genus of herbaceous plants and woody shrubs in the Family Fabaceae (Subfamily Faboideae) commonly known as rattlepods. Some 600 or more species of Crotalaria are described worldwide, mostly from the tropics; at least 500 species are known from Africa. Some species of Crotalaria are grown as ornamentals. The common name rattlepod or rattlebox is derived from the fact that the seeds become loose in the pod as they mature, and rattle when the pod is shaken. The name derives from the Greek , meaning “castanet”, and is the same root as the name for the rattlesnakes (Crotalus).

Crotalaria damarensis, synonymously known as Crotalaria fleckii or Crotalaria marlothii and commonly known as Damara Rattle-pod, is a South African indigenous showy annual, reaching 50cm tall that features hairy stems and beautiful yellow blooms from summer to autumn. It is found in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape provinces. It is widespread from southern Angola through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe to Limpopo and eastern Mpumalanga extending to southern Mozambique growing in woodland, sandy and rocky places, along rivers, roadsides and other disturbed places.