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This species is found in Africa, tropical Asia and Australia. Two sup species have been recognised. C. l. australis is found in Bostawana, Namibia, Mosambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa. C. l. laburnifolia is found in Chad, Etiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Zaire, Australia, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The subspecies C. l. australis can be distinguished mainly by the leaves being hairless and the pods being longer than  C. l. laburnifolia.

This plant belongs to a genus commonly known as rattlepods. More than 600 species of rattlepo have been described so far in the world. The common name rattlepod or rattlebox is derived from the fact that seeds become loose in the pod as they mature and rattle when the pod shaken.

The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012).

The females of a species of butterfly known as the Pea Blue lays its eggs on the tender leaves of this species.

The crushed leaves of the Bird Flower plant are used in Ayurveda medicine to treat skin fungus.

In Wilpattu I have observed the flowers of this species during the months of November and December at Nelum Wila, Tala Wila and Kombansanchipooval.