Unlike other Crotalaria species, Crotalaria brevidens contains very low amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are deleterious to humans and animals (Tookey et al., 1963). However, some of these toxic alkaloids have been detected (Uiso, 1991). A comparison of the palatability, feeding value and apparent toxicity for rats of 150 tropical legumes (Cassia, Crotalaria, Indigofera and Tephrosia species) found that Crotalaria brevidens resulted in poor or no growth and low intake, indicating toxicity and/or unpalatability (Strickland et al., 1986). In humans, it is possible that the elaborate cooking methods used to prepare slenderleaf for food actually result in detoxification (Uiso, 1991).
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