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blue wild indigo

Scientific Name: Baptisia australis

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: IN (wild false indigo), MD (wild false indigo), OH

       

Baptisia australis: Blue Wild Indigo

Baptisia australis, commonly known as blue wild indigo or blue false indigo, is a striking flowering plant native to eastern North America. This herbaceous perennial, prized for its beautiful blue flowers and bushy foliage, belongs to the Fabaceae (legume) family.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is a member of the pea family.
  • The plant produces pods.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant is a member of the pea family.
  • The plant produces pods.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Baptisia australis (L.) R. Br. ex. Ait. f.
  • Family: Fabaceae (Legumes or Leguminosae)
  • Synonyms: B. exaltata
  • Other Common Names: Blue False Indigo, Wild Indigo, Rattlepod, Rattlebush, False Lupine

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to much of central and eastern North America.
  • While native to eastern North America, occurrences in New England are considered introduced.
  • Grows in sandy, dry areas or open woods.
  • Found on prairies.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Herbaceous perennial with a bushy, robust growth habit.
  • Reaches a height of 2 to 5 feet.
  • Stems are erect, stout, glabrous, waxy, and branch abundantly.
  • Leaves are alternate and on stalks 1/4 to 3/4 inch long. Leaflets are rounded and blue-green.
  • Flowers are blue-purple and pea-like, congested in dense spires. Flower petal color ranges from blue to purple.
  • Forms a gorgeous rounded shape when grown in full sun.
  • Features smooth grayish-white stems.
  • Produces interesting blue-black pods.

Ecological Role

  • Native host plant for butterflies such as Wild Indigo Duskywing, Eastern Tailed-Blue, Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur, and Frosted Elfin.
  • Flowers are a bumblebee favorite.

Historical Uses

  • The plant has a history of use as a dye. Europeans used to pay Americans to grow it for the blue dye made from the flowers.
  • Both Native Americans and settlers used blue false indigo and yellow wild indigo to produce a blue dye.
  • The name "Baptisia" comes from the Greek "baptizein" meaning "to dye".

Quirky Facts

  • The plant was named the Perennial Plant of the Year™ in 2010.

Additional Information

  • Plant Symbol: BAAU