Plains Wild Indigo, Longbract wild indigo, False Indigo, Cream Wild Indigo
Baptisia bracteata

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Late spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.

Baptisia bracteata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.7

Where it is found

Dry soils on prairies. Sandy open woods, prairies, pastures and roadsides in Texas.

Eastern N. America - Arkansas, Texas and Nebraska to Minnesota.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

An ointment made from the ground seeds is applied to the stomach in the treatment of colic. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of typhoid and scarlet fever. The leaves are astringent and are applied externally to wounds etc. Recent research suggests that the plant can stimulate the immune system.

Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Other

Rating:

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Ground cover, Seashore. Prefers a deep, well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun. Grows freely in a loamy soil. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in a rich moist soil in sun or light shade. Hardy to about -20°c. Plants have a very deep root system and dislike root disturbance, they should be left alone once they are established. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water and then sown in a cold frame in late winter or early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer or following spring. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

The plant is potentially toxic.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

B. leucophaea. Nutt. B. villosa. Auct.