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spiked wild indigo
Scientific Name: Baptisia albescens
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Baptisia albescens: Spiked Wild Indigo
Baptisia albescens, commonly known as spiked wild indigo, is a native herbaceous perennial admired for its distinctive appearance and ecological role.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is a legume.
Scientific Classification
- Scientific Name: Baptisia albescens
- Common Name: Spiked Wild Indigo
- Family: Fabaceae (Legume or Pea Family)
- Group: Dicot
- Synonyms: USDA Symbol: BAAL3
- Rank: Species
Distribution and Habitat
- Baptisia albescens occurs from Virginia south to Florida.
- It is particularly common in South Carolina, found in almost every county.
- It is one of three species of Baptisia with white flowers found in north Georgia.
- It is rare and hard to find in the piedmont region.
Morphology and Growth Habits
- Baptisia albescens is described as a spectacular herbaceous leguminous perennial, or forb, meaning it's a non-woody plant that is not a grass.
- It can grow to be quite tall.
- The plant produces white flowers arranged in a raceme.
- Leaves are compound.
Ecological Role
- Blue Indigo (likely referring to Baptisia species) is a native host plant for certain butterflies.
Flower Description
- Flowers are white, shaped like peas and are displayed in long, loose spike-like racemes.
Related Species
- There are eight species of Baptisia in South Carolina.
Additional Information
- Baptisia alba (White Wild Indigo) and Baptisia bracteata (Cream Wild Indigo) are mentioned as other species in the genus.