Table of Contents for Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis)
Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis) is a herbaceous perennial that grows in open areas such as meadows, roadsides, and stream-sides. It is the host plant for six species of butterflies and a nectar source for other insects. The purple flowers appear in the spring or early summer and the plant can sometimes become bushy. This plant can be purchased in the McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden Shop.
Taxonomy and History of Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis)
Taxonomy
Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis) was originally described by Carl Von Linnaeus in Species Plantarum (1753) as Sophora australis. Later, Robert Brown, a Scottish botanist, renamed it to its current name, Baptisia australis. Three varieties, var. abberans, var. australis, and var. minor are recognized. This plant is a member of the Legume Family (Fabaceae).
Wild Indigo Description and Alternative Names
Description
Wild Indigo is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 3 to 5 feet tall and can often appear as a shrub. The alternate, compound (ternate), subulate, entire leaflets range are less than 1 inch in length and width.
Alternative Names
This plant is also known as Blue False Indigo, False Indigo, and Wild Blue Indigo.
Range and Habitat
Range
This species is generally in the midwest and eastern United States.
Habitat
Wild Indigo grows in open sunny places such meadows, roadsides, and streamsides.
Host Species
This plant is a host to the Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), clouded sulphur (Colias philodice), frosted elfin (Callophrys irus), wild indigo duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae), Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas), and the Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades).
Other Wildlife Value
The flowers are used as a nectar source by other butterflies, bees, and insects and the seeds by birds and mammals.
Interesting Facts
The genus name, Baptisia, means “to dye” and the species name, australis, refers to its southern distribution (Missouri Botanical Garden).