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Blue Wild Indigo
Left: Baptisia australis var minor 'Blue Wild Indigo' in ASMSA Garden in Fall 2024.
Left: Baptisia australis var minor 'Blue Wild Indigo' in ASMSA Garden in Fall 2024.
Above: 'Blue Wild Indigo' in bloom in the ASMSA Garden in Spring 2024.
Above: 'Blue Wild Indigo' in bloom in the ASMSA Garden in Spring 2024.
Plant Characteristics
Plant Characteristics
Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:
This variety thrives in well-drained soils and prefers full sun to partial shade, making it suitable for prairies and open woodlands.
Growth Habit/Description:
Blue Wild Indigo is a perennial herbaceous plant characterized by its upright growth, reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet, with attractive blue to purple flowers that bloom in racemes.
Bloom Season:
It typically blooms in late spring to early summer, usually from May to June.
Fall and/or Winter Interest?
The plant offers some winter interest due to its seed pods, which remain on the plant and can provide visual appeal.
Distribution
Distribution
Habitat: Blue Wild Indigo is commonly found in dry to mesic prairies, open woods, and along roadsides.
Native to Arkansas? Yes, it is native to Arkansas
Native to Garland County? Yes
Endemic to Arkansas? No, it is not endemic but is found in several states across the Midwest and Southeast.
Ecological Value
Ecological Value
Host Plant for Caterpillars?
Yes. Blue Wild Indigo serves as a host plant for certain butterfly species, including the larvae of the Wild Indigo Duskywing.
Other Known Ecological Value?
Yes. It attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to local biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Other Interesting Facts
Other Interesting Facts
Origin of Name: The name "Baptisia" is derived from the Greek word "baptizo," meaning "to dip," referring to the use of the plant's dye.
Related Plant Species: Related species include Baptisia australis (the larger variety) and Baptisia tinctoria (yellow wild indigo) as well as Baptisia alba (wild white indigo).
Use For Food/Medicine:
While not commonly used for food, some parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine, though caution is advised due to potential toxicity.
References
References
Marcus, Joseph A. “Baptisia Australis (L.) R. Br. Var. Minor (Lehm.) Fernald.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin, 30 Nov. 2022, www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BAAUM.
Last edited by Lydia Robertson, September 2024.
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