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longbract wild indigo

Scientific Name: Baptisia bracteata var. bracteata

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Longbract Wild Indigo (Baptisia bracteata)

Longbract Wild Indigo, also commonly known as Cream False Indigo, Plains Wild Indigo, or Cream Wild Indigo, is a perennial plant appreciated for its early blooming period and attractive appearance. It is a member of the legume family, Fabaceae.

Considerations for Pets

  • The fruit is a legume with a typically round shape and elongated tip. Small parts might pose a choking hazard.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Baptisia bracteata Muhl. ex Elliott
  • Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae), also known as the Pea Family
  • Common Names: Longbract Wild Indigo, Cream False Indigo, Plains Wild Indigo, Cream Wild Indigo
  • Synonyms/Varieties:
    • Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea (Nutt.) Kartesz &amp Gandhi

Distribution and Habitat

  • This plant is native to North America.
  • It can be found in various locations, including Minnesota and potentially South Carolina (Sandhills counties).
  • It thrives in full to part sun and prefers medium to dry moisture levels.
  • Suitable soil types include loamy, sandy, or clayish soils with an acidic pH.

Morphology and Growth

  • Baptisia bracteata is a perennial growing to approximately 0.7 meters (2 feet 4 inches) in height and 0.6 meters (2 feet) in width.
  • It blooms from May to June. Some sources indicate that it begins in early March to early April depending on geographic location.
  • Long-Bract Wild Indigo is one of the lower growing Baptisias, rarely exceeding 18-24 inches in height, but can spread up to 36 inches across at maturity.
  • The fruit is a legume with a typically round shape and elongated tip.

Ecology and Interactions

  • This plant is a host for the larvae of several butterfly and moth species, including Wild Indigo Duskywing, Hoary Edge, and Southern Dogface.
  • Seed predation by weevils has been observed.

Additional Information

  • Individual plants are known to be extremely long-lived.

Resources and Further Information

  • USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
  • Discover Life
  • Bioimages at Vanderbilt University: http://bioimages.vanderbilt.edu/thomas/0484-01.htm