Wild indigo, Rattlebush, House-fly weed
Baptisia tinctoria
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1.2 m high and spreads 60 cm wide. across. It in mush branched. The leaves are like clover leaves. They are 8 cm across. The flower stalks arch over and are 10 cm long. They are small, yellow and like pea flowers.
There are about 17-20 Baptisia species. They grow in the USA. It is mainly used as a medicine.
Where it is found
It grows in well-drained sandy soil. It does best in a sunny position. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Mediterranean, Netherlands, North America (country/location of origin), USA
How it is used for food
The young shoots are cooked and eaten. The roots are used in medicine.
Edible parts
Leaves, shoots
How it is grown
Plants are grown from ripe seed or by division.