SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 5137.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "5137" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Florida wild indigo

Scientific Name: Baptisia calycosa var. villosa

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Baptisia calycosa - Florida Wild Indigo

Baptisia calycosa, commonly known as Florida wild indigo or Canby's wild indigo, is a flowering plant species belonging to the pea family, Fabaceae.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that the Baptisia genus is "potentially poisonous," suggesting caution should be exercised around pets that might ingest the plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Baptisia calycosa Canby
  • Common Names: Florida wild indigo, white wild indigo, white false indigo, Canby's wild indigo
  • Family: Fabaceae (bean family)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: The text mentions Baptisia alba (Baptisia lactea, Baptisia leucantha) as a synonym of White Wild Indigo.
  • Subordinate Taxa: Baptisia calycosa var. calycosa

Distribution and Habitat

  • Baptisia calycosa is native to Florida and occurs nowhere else. Other species of Baptisia have a wider distribution.
  • Other Baptisia species can be found in the southeastern United States, from Virginia to central Florida, southwest Georgia, southeast Alabama, and adjacent Florida Panhandle.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Baptisia calycosa features striking spikes of white, pea-shaped flowers borne on dark stems.
  • The plant has bushy growth with elliptic leaves.
  • It is described as drought tolerant.
  • Other species of Baptisia are perennial plants, typically with stems 2 to 3 feet high.

Ecological Role

  • Baptisia tinctoria plants host caterpillars of Frosted Elfin, Wild Indigo Duskywing, and Orange Sulfur butterflies.

Traditional Uses

  • Wild Indigo has historically been sought after for its natural anti-septic properties.
  • Blue false indigo (Baptisia australis) and yellow wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria) were used to produce a blue dye by both Native Americans and settlers before the advent of synthetic dyes.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The text mentions "Known Pests and Problems for Florida Wild Indigo Baptisia calycosa."

Further Information

  • University of Florida Herbarium
  • Florida Wildflower Foundation
  • IRMNG (Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera)
  • Dave's Garden
  • Discover Life
  • USDA Distributional Map