SafePlants

Baptisia australis: Blue Wild Indigo

Baptisia australis, commonly known as blue wild indigo or blue false indigo, is a beautiful and robust herbaceous perennial native to eastern North America.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant has been referred to as "Rattlepod" and "Rattlebush" due to the presence of seed pods, which may contain small parts.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Baptisia australis (L.) R. Br. ex. Ait. f.
• Family: Fabaceae (Legumes or Pea Family), also referred to as Leguminosae.
• Synonyms: B. exaltata
• Other Common Names: Blue False Indigo, Wild Indigo, Rattlepod, Rattlebush, False Lupine. Other common names listed are Wild Indigo, Horsefly weed, Shoofly, American indigo, Yellow Indigo broom.

Distribution and Habitat

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

Morphology and Growth Habits

• Herbaceous perennial with a bushy appearance due to abundant branching.
• Grows 2 to 5 feet (approximately 0.6 to 1.5 meters) tall and wide.
• Stems are erect, stout, smooth, and waxy with widely spreading branches.
• Leaves are alternate, on stalks, and have a rounded leaflet shape with blue-green foliage.
• Features blue to purple, pea-like flowers congested in dense spires. Blooms from late spring to early summer, or June to August/September depending on the source.
• Forms a gorgeous rounded shape with blue-green pea-like leaves and flowers when grown in full sun.
• Produces interesting blue-black pods after flowering.

Ecological Role

• Serves as a native host plant for various butterflies, including Wild Indigo Duskywing, Eastern Tailed-Blue, Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur, and Frosted Elfin.
• A favorite of bumblebees.

Quirky Facts

• The name "Baptisia" comes from the Greek "baptizein," meaning "to dye," referencing its historical economic use as a poor substitute for indigo dye.
• Europeans used to pay Americans to grow it for the dye they made from the blue flowers.
• The plant was named the Perennial Plant of the Year™ in 2010.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Attracts native bees.

Additional Information

• Plant Symbol: BAAU (USDA NRCS Kansas Plant Materials Center).
• Dave's Garden: A community sharing tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants.
• WebMD: Provides patient medical information on Wild Indigo, including its uses, effectiveness, side effects, and safety.