Wild Indigo, Horseflyweed
Baptisia tinctoria

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

What it is like

Baptisia tinctoria is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. 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): 0.9

Where it is found

Dry soils in open woods and clearings.

Eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicine

Rating: 3

Wild indigo was a favourite medicine of the N. American Indians, a decoction of the roots being used as an antiseptic wash for wounds and skin complaints. Modern research has shown that this acrid bitter herb stimulates the immune system and is particularly effective against bacterial infections. Caution is advised in the internal use of this plant, large or frequent doses are potentially harmful. A tea made from the roots is cholagogue, emetic, febrifuge and purgative. The fresh root is also considered to be antiseptic, astringent and laxative. The infusion is used in the treatment of upper respiratory infections such as tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and is also valuable in treating infections of the chest, gastro-intestinal tract and skin.The plants antimicrobial and immune-stimulant properties combat lymphatic problems, when used with detoxifying herbs such as Arctium lappa it helps to reduce enlarged lymph nodes. Wild indigo is frequently prescribed, along with Echinacea, in the treatment of chronic viral infections or chronic fatigue syndrome. A decoction of the root soothes sore or infected nipples and infected skin conditions. When used as a mouth wash or gargle the decoction treats mouth ulcers, gum infections and sore throats. The fresh root, including the bark, is used to make a homeopathic medicine. This has a limited range of action, but is used especially in the treatment of certain types of flu.

Adaptogen: Helps the body

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

Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

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

Cholagogue: Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Homeopathy: A plant used in homeopathic treatments.

Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Other

Rating: 2

This species is related to the tropical plant Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) and, like that species, contains a blue dyestuff in the leaves. The dyestuff is only contained in very low concentrations, however, and a very large quantity of leaves would be required to obtain reasonable quantities of indigo. A yellow dye can also be obtained from the plant. If the growing plant is harvested and hung up, it is said to repel flies.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Prefers a deep, rich, well-drained neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun. Grows freely in a loamy soil. Plants are shy flowering in British gardens. 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. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots. The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down.

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: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

The plant is poisonous in large quantities. Irritation of the eyes. May cause dermatitis. Avoid with inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases .

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Baptisia gibbesii. Podalyria tinctoria. Sophora tinctoria.